cancer of the pancreas Flashcards

1
Q

most common type of cancer and place

A

95% exocrine - adenocarcinoma

commonly found in the head of the pancreas, sometimes the tail

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

where do cancers of the endocrine system arise

A

in the pancreatic islet cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

gastrinoma

A

produce gastrin
inc stomach acid
stomach and duodenal ulcers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

what are gastrinomas related to

A

zollinger ellison syndrome

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

ZE syndrome

A

association of peptic ulcers with gastrinoma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

insulinoma

A

produces insulin
sugar is stored not burned
hypoglycaemia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

glucagonoma

A

produces glucagon
blood sugar increases
hyperglycaemia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

clinical features of cancer - initial vague symptoms

A

nausea vomiting and fatigue

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

clinical feature - weight

A

weight loss, due to cancer associated anorexia or malabsorption

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what can malabsorption cause

A

steatorrhoea

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

clinical feature - pain

A

epigastric that radiates to back

worse when lying flat

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what happens if the tumour is in the head of the pancreas

A

blocks the CBD - painless obstructive jaundice

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

what does jaundice cause

A

dark urine and pale stool

lead to pruritus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

what can happen if the endocrine pancreas is affected

A

new onset of diabetes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

risk factors - lifestyle

A

charred meat, smoking, obesity and physical inactivity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

risk factors - non modifiable

A

African American, >65, male

17
Q

risk factors - medical

A

diabetes (2>1)
chronic pancreatitis
liver cirrhosis
these are all related to alcohol consumption

18
Q

risk factors - family

A

family history

BRCA2 mutation most common

19
Q

diagnosis

A

history
examination
bloods
imaging

20
Q

management

A

chemo, surgery, radiotherapy, combinations

21
Q

prognosis?

A

poor as normally advanced at time of diagnosis

22
Q

spread

A

to lymph nodes
nearby organs
via portal venous system to liver