Pancreatic cancer is a relatively uncommon type of cancer compared to other types of cancer. However, it is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, with a five-year survival rate of 10% or less.
In terms of incidence, it is estimated that around 60,000 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year in the United States. Most people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer are over 65 years old, and the cancer is slightly more common in men than in women.
Importantly, pancreatic cancer can be difficult to diagnose in its early stages, as symptoms often do not appear until the cancer has spread to other organs. As a result, pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed in advanced stages, making it more difficult to treat.
Pancreatic cancer begins in the tissues of the pancreas, an organ in the abdomen that lies behind the lower stomach. The pancreas releases enzymes that aid digestion and produces hormones that help control blood glucose.
Several types of tumors can occur in the pancreas, including cancerous and noncancerous tumors. The most common type of cancer that forms in the pancreas begins in the cells that line the ducts that carry digestive enzymes out of the pancreas (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma).
Pancreatic cancer is rarely detected in its early stages, when it is most curable. This is because it often doesn’t cause symptoms until after it has spread to other organs.
Treatment options for pancreatic cancer are chosen based on the extent of the cancer. They may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these.
In this video, I explain how pancreatic cancer develops and why it is so deadly.
Hello, my name is Oswaldo Restrepo. I am a doctor specializing in occupational health and safety, with training in epidemiology, management systems, and risks.
