pancreatic cancer

pancreatic cancer

Cancer of pancreas, pancreatic carcinoma Oncology A 'silent' cancer that rarely causes early Sx unless it blocks the common bile duct and bile cannot pass into the digestive system, causing jaundice Epidemiology 5^th leading cause of CA death–US; 11^th most common CA; 24,000 deaths/yr–US Incidence 9/105 5-yr survival, ± 5% Risk factors ♂, black, smoking, ↓ consumption of fruits, vegetables, ↑ meats, alcohol, chronic pancreatitis

Pancreatic cancer stages

I  CA confined to the pancreas, or direct extension to duodenum, bile duct, peripancreatic tissues

II  CA extends directly to the stomach, spleen, colon, or adjacent large vessels

III  Any direct tumor size with positive lymph nodes

IV Any known metastasis, eg to liver or lungs

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Patient discussion about pancreatic cancer

Q. Can any one give me information about Carcinoma of the pancreas? What is the prognosis for carcinoma of the pancreas? I want to know as much as I can information on carcinoma of the pancreas.

A. I’m sorry to say that 95% people that have pancreatic carcinoma do not survive. Apparently the area around it and the pancreas itself is without sensory nerves. That means that when it starts to be painful – it’s much too late…this is a silent killer.
Sorry for the bad news…

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