Risk Factors
There are numerous risk factors for pancreatic cancer, including cigarette smoking, a high-fat diet, chronic pancreatitis, hereditary pancreatitis and industrial exposure to coal tar derivatives. Hereditary pancreatitis carries a five-fold increase risk of development of pancreatic cancer when compared to the general population.
Symptoms
The clinical manifestations of pancreatic carcinoma may be non-specific and are often subtle. The tumor has usually reached an advanced stage by the time of diagnosis. Most common symptoms include upper abdominal pain, weight loss, nausea, vomiting and jaundice. Pancreatic carcinoma is usually diagnosed by CT scan or ultrasound. Fine needle aspiration with endoscopic ultrasonography or CT guidance usually confirms the diagnosis.
Treatment
Surgical treatment offers the only chance of cure. Only 10 percent of tumors are resectable at the time of diagnosis. Pancreatic resection procedures are recommended for those patients without advanced disease. Pallative measures such as surgical bypass procedures or endoscopic placement of stents may be undertaken in patients with unresectable or metastatic lesions.
Additional Resources
For more information on pancreatic cancer, please visit the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center Web site.
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