| Cancer of the pancreas begins when cells within | | | | This term is used to describe cancer that forms |
| the pancreas develop certain genetic mutations. | | | | within the hormone producing cells of the |
| These abnormal mutations cause rapid and | | | | pancreas. |
| uncontrolled cell growth and these abnormal or | | | | The basic stages of are divided into three |
| diseased cells continue to live long after normal | | | | categories. |
| healthy cells would have died naturally. This large | | | | Resectable - All tumor nodules will be able to be |
| accumulation of cells can lead to the formation of | | | | removed and should help to slow down the |
| a tumor within the pancreas itself, and here is | | | | advance - or even better, stop the cancer from |
| where the first signs may appear. | | | | growing. |
| The pancreas itself is usually about 6 to 7 inches | | | | Locally Advanced - The cancer of the pancreas |
| (about 15 centimeters) long in an average adult , | | | | has spread into the tissues or blood supply around |
| and resembles a pear, but a pear that is laying | | | | the organ itself and the tumor can no longer be |
| sideways. The pancreas is a crucial component in | | | | surgically removed. |
| your overall digestive system and why this | | | | Metastatic - The cancer of the pancreas has |
| disease needs to be treated as soon as it is | | | | spread to other organs further up the body, such |
| diagnosed. It is responsible for the secretion of | | | | as the lungs and liver and unfortunately this is the |
| hormones, including insulin, that help your body | | | | worse case scenario. |
| process sugars. The pancreas also secretes | | | | Cancer of the pancreas is difficult to cure if not |
| digestive juices that assist your body in digesting | | | | caught in the very early stages. Only a relatively |
| food in general and is needed to sustain a healthy | | | | small number of diagnosed cases are ever |
| body. | | | | considered to be fully curable with surgery. Often |
| There are different types of cancer of the | | | | treatment focuses more on controlling the growth |
| pancreas. Cancer that forms in the pancreas | | | | of the tumor with chemotherapy and medications, |
| ducts are called adenocarcinomas, and these | | | | preventing the spread of the cancer to other |
| make up the majority of cases of that medical | | | | organs. Most patients who are diagnosed are not |
| professionals see. These are also sometimes | | | | given a good prognosis by their physicians |
| known as exocrine tumors. | | | | because the patient has not seen the signs fast |
| Endocrine cases of are rare - and often missed. | | | | enough. |