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Pancreatic Cancer
The pancreas is an organ deep in the body, behind the
stomach. It is shaped a little like a fish. In adults it is about 6
inches long and less than 2 inches wide. The pancreas has
2 different kinds of glands that have different functions. The
exocrine glands make “pancreatic juice,” which is released
into the intestines when we eat. This juice has enzymes that
break down foods so the body can absorb them. Most of the
cells in the pancreas are part of the exocrine system. A
smaller number of cells in the pancreas are endocrine cells.
These cells are in clusters called islets. They make
hormones like insulin that help balance the amount of sugar
in the blood. Exocrine tumors are by far the most common
type of pancreas cancer. Nearly all of these tumors are
adenocarcinomas (cancers that start in gland cells). They
most commonly occur in the head of the pancreas and
present after obstructing the major bile duct, leading to
jaundice. The mainstay of care is surgery. Whether or not
surgery can be done is dependent on how early the cancer
is found. Frequently this cancer grows into other structures,
preventing removal. Care also commonly involves radiation
and chemotherapy. Tumors of the endocrine pancreas are
much less common. They are known as islet cell tumors or
neuroendocrine tumors. There are many types, including:
Gastrinomas, Insulinomas, Glucagonomas,
Somatostatinomas, VIPomas, and Ppomas.