Pancreatic Cancer access options
Pancreatic cancer occurs when cells in the pancreas, a glandular organ behind the stomach, begin to grow out of control. The pancreas is an organ located in the abdomen which produces both digestive enzymes and insulin. The pancreas is made up of two main types of cells: exocrine cells that make enzymes that help you digest foods (especially fats), and endocrine cells that make hormones like insulin and glucagon (which are important for controlling blood sugar levels) into the bloodstream. Around 338,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer are diagnosed every year, making up 2.4% of all cancer diagnoses. In more than 80% of the cases, pancreatic cancer develops in the exocrine pancreas. Abo... Read more »ut 75% of all exocrine pancreatic cancers occur within the head or neck of the pancreas, 15–20% in the body and 5–10% in the tail of the pancreas. Symptoms of the most common form of pancreatic cancer may include yellow skin, abdominal or back pain, unexplained weight loss, light-colored stools, dark urine and loss of appetite. However there are usually no symptoms in the disease's early stages, and symptoms that are specific enough to suggest pancreatic cancer do not usually develop until the disease has reached an advanced stage. By the time of diagnosis, pancreatic cancer has often spread to other parts of the body. Most patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer are older than 45, whilst at least two thirds are at least 65 years old.
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