How is pancreatic cancer formed

Cysts and other benign tumors can form in the pancreas, and some can be precursors to pancreatic cancer, including intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasms IPMNs.

Often, IPMNs and other benign lesions are found when a patient is being scanned for an unrelated medical reason. Depending on the location and type of the growth, your doctor may want to either surgically remove the lesion or continue monitoring it to ensure that it does not become malignant.

Exocrine Nonendocrine Pancreatic Cancer Exocrine pancreatic cancer develops from exocrine cells, which make up the exocrine gland and ducts of the pancreas. They include the following: Adenocarcinoma Also called ductal carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, is the most common type of pancreatic cancer, accounting for more than 90 percent of pancreatic cancer diagnoses.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma This extremely rare nonendocrine cancer of the pancreas forms in the pancreatic ducts, and is made purely of squamous cells, which are not typically seen in the pancreas. Adenosquamous Carcinoma This rare type of pancreatic cancer represents 1 percent to 4 percent of exocrine pancreatic cancers. Colloid Carcinoma Another rare type, colloid carcinomas account for 1 percent to 3 percent of exocrine pancreatic cancers.

Neuroendocrine Pancreatic Cancer Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors NETs develop from cells in the endocrine gland of the pancreas, which secretes the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream to regulate blood sugar. The peri-ampullary region is comprised of 4 structures; the ampulla, the duodenum, the bile duct and the head of the pancreas. It is sometimes difficult to tell which structure a tumor originated in.

In such cases the diagnosis will be a peri-ampullary tumor. The biochemical study of plants; concerned with the identification, biosynthesis, metabolism of chemical constituents of plants; especially in regards to natural products. An oblong organ located between the stomach and the spine. The pancreas secretes enzymes needed for the digestion of food and it produces hormones such as insulin and glucagon which help control blood sugar.

Any treatment that reduces the severity of a disease or its symptoms. Palliative care is often a part of the treatment plan for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. A term used to describe certain tumors which grow in finger-like projections. Pathologists use this term to describe some precancerous lesions in the pancreas intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm.

An abnormal new growth of tissue that grows more rapidly than normal cells and will continue to grow if not treated. These growths will compete with normal cells for nutrients. This is a general term that can refer to benign or malignant growths.

It is a synonym for the word tumor. A medical doctor who specializes in the treatment of tumors. Oncologists often treat patients with pancreatic cancer with chemotherapy.

A surgically created opening in an organ that can also be referred to as an anastamosis. Sometimes when surgeons remove a segment of bowel they create an ostomy to allow for the bowel contents to exit the body. A cancer that has spread from one organ to another. Pancreas cancer most frequently metastasizes to the liver. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy that is given to patients before surgery.

Some centers feel that the use of neoadjuvant therapy improves local and regional control of disease and that it may make more patients surgical candidates. A cancer that has the potential of invading nearby tissues, spreading to other organs metastasizing and possibly leading to the patient's death.

Normal, round, raisin to grape-sized collections of lymphocytes white blood cells found throughout the body. Lymph nodes are connected to each other by lymphatic vessels. They normally help fight infection, but also are one of the first sites to which cancers spread.

In general, the spread of cancer to lymph nodes portends a worse prognosis for the patient. There are exceptions to this. A painless method for visualizing internal organs. A tube-like machine with a powerful magnet generates images of the inside of the body. It does not involve the use of Xrays.

The largest organ in the body, located in the right upper part of the abdomen. It performs many life-maintaining functions including the production of bile. The liver detoxifies the blood of drugs, alcohol and other harmful chemicals. It processes nutrients absorbed by the intestine and stores essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

Bilirubin is a chemical produced when old or damaged blood cells breakdown. The liver chemically process the bilirubin so that it can dissolve in water and be excreted through the urine. When this process is disrupted, jaundice can develop. Removable tissues include some lymph nodes and parts of the duodenum and stomach that are routinely removed in some surgical treatments for pancreatic cancer. Yellowing of the skin or yellowing of the whites of the eyes caused by the accumulation of bile pigments usually due to an obstruction of the bile ducts.

A technique that surgeons can use to visualize and even biopsy take tissue samples of organs inside of the abdomen without making large incisions. Very small incisions are made in the belly and small tubes called trocars are then inserted. Gas is pumped in through one of the tubes to create enough space to work in. The surgeon inserts a small camera through one of the tubes and examines the lining and contents of the abdominal cavity by looking at the projected image on the television screen.

With specially designed laparascopic instruments, biopsies and fluid samples can be taken for examination. Some surgeons feel that this technique can help "stage" a patient less invasively than with open surgery.

A term used to indicate that cancerous cells are present in the duct but have not yet invaded deeper tissues. A hormone produced by the endocrine cells of the islets of Langerhans cells of the pancreas. Insulin acts to lower blood sugar levels. The widest part of the pancreas. It is found in the right part of abdomen, nestled in the curve of the duodenum, which forms an impression in the side of the pancreas. A hormone produced by the endocrine islets of Langerhans cells of the pancreas.

When blood sugar levels are low, glucagon acts to raise blood sugar levels. A green pear-shaped organ located on the right side of the abdomen just under the liver. The gallbladder is essentially a reservoir for holding bile. Gemzar is the trade name for the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine. It is frequently used to treat pancreatic cancer. It has been shown, in controlled clinical trials, to improve quality of life.

The exocrine cells acinar cells of the pancreas produce and transport chemicals that will exit the body through the digestive system. The chemicals that the exocrine cells produce are called enzymes. They are secreted in the duodenum where they assist in the digestion of food.

A chemical that causes a reaction in other substances, in this case as a part of the digestive process. Pancreatic cancer affects more males than females. This year, the ACS expects 31, males and 28, females to receive a diagnosis. Although pancreatic cancer can occur at any age, including during childhood , it is more likely to appear after the age of 55 years. Exposure to chemicals used in dry cleaning or metalworking may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.

People with the following health conditions may have a higher risk of pancreatic cancer:. Some lifestyle factors may also contribute to the development of pancreatic cancer, such as:. In the U. The authors of one study note that the most likely explanation for this is social inequality. This impacts outcomes in various ways, including the availability of effective treatment options. This inequity affects both Black and Hispanic Americans. The outlook for pancreatic cancer depends partly on which stage it is at when a doctor diagnoses it.

According to the ACS , a person who receives a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer has the following chances of surviving for another 5 years or longer compared with someone who does not have the condition:. In the early stages, treatment may be able to remove the cancer from the pancreas.

As the cancer progresses, however, this becomes more challenging. What is advanced, or stage 4, pancreatic cancer? If the cancer is localized at the time of diagnosis, it may be possible to eliminate the cancer cells by removing all or part of the pancreas. In a Whipple procedure , a surgeon removes the pancreas head and sometimes the whole pancreas, along with a portion of the stomach, duodenum, lymph nodes, and other tissue. In distal pancreatectomy, the surgeon removes part of the pancreas and usually the spleen as well.

The spleen supports the immune system, so there may be a higher risk of infection after its removal. A person can live without a pancreas, but diabetes may develop because the body no longer produces insulin cells. A surgeon can create a bypass so that bile can continue to flow from the liver. This can minimize pain and digestive problems. Another option is to insert a small stent in the bile duct to keep it open.

This is a less invasive procedure using an endoscope. Can a person live without a pancreas? In embolization, a healthcare professional will inject into an artery a substance that stops blood from reaching the cancer cells. Without the blood supply, these cells will die. Side effects of embolization include abdominal pain, nausea, fever, infections, and a risk of blood clots in the area of the injection.

Less frequently, cancer can form in the hormone-producing cells or the neuroendocrine cells of the pancreas. These types of cancer are called pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, islet cell tumors or pancreatic endocrine cancer. A large study demonstrated that the combination of smoking, long-standing diabetes and a poor diet increases the risk of pancreatic cancer beyond the risk of any one of these factors alone. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography ERCP uses a dye to highlight the bile ducts and pancreatic duct on X-ray images.

A thin, flexible tube endoscope with a camera on the end is passed down your throat and into your small intestine. The dye enters the ducts through a small hollow tube catheter passed through the endoscope. Pancreatic cancer that blocks the liver's bile duct can cause jaundice.

Signs include yellow skin and eyes, dark-colored urine, and pale-colored stools. Jaundice usually occurs without abdominal pain. Your doctor may recommend that a plastic or metal tube stent be placed inside the bile duct to hold it open. This is done with the help of a procedure called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography ERCP. During ERCP an endoscope is passed down your throat, through your stomach and into the upper part of your small intestine. A dye is then injected into the pancreatic and bile ducts through a small hollow tube catheter that's passed through the endoscope.

Finally, images are taken of the ducts. A growing tumor may press on nerves in your abdomen, causing pain that can become severe. Pain medications can help you feel more comfortable. Treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy, might help slow tumor growth and provide some pain relief.

In severe cases, your doctor might recommend a procedure to inject alcohol into the nerves that control pain in your abdomen celiac plexus block. This procedure stops the nerves from sending pain signals to your brain. Bowel obstruction. Pancreatic cancer that grows into or presses on the first part of the small intestine duodenum can block the flow of digested food from your stomach into your intestines. Your doctor may recommend that a tube stent be placed in your small intestine to hold it open.

In some situations, it might help to have surgery to place a temporary feeding tube or to attach your stomach to a lower point in your intestines that isn't blocked by cancer. Consider meeting with a genetic counselor if you have a family history of pancreatic cancer. He or she can review your family health history with you and determine whether you might benefit from a genetic test to understand your risk of pancreatic cancer or other cancers.

Pancreatic cancer care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview The pancreas in the digestive system Open pop-up dialog box Close.

The pancreas in the digestive system The pancreas is a long, flat gland that lies horizontally behind your stomach. Pancreatic cancer Open pop-up dialog box Close. Pancreatic cancer Pancreatic cancer is cancer that forms in the cells of the pancreas. Email address. First Name let us know your preferred name. Last Name. Thank you for subscribing Your in-depth coping with cancer guide will be in your inbox shortly. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry.