Pancreatic Cancer Flashcards
what type of jaundice indicates pancreatic cancer?
Painless obstructive jaundice
anatomically where are most pancreatic cancers located in the pancreas?
head of pancreas.
most pancreatic cancers are what type of cancer histologically?
adenocarcinomas
define adenocarcinomas?
Cancer that begins in glandular (secretory) cells
what is Courvoisier’s Law?
a palpable gallbladder with painless obstructive jaundice is unlikely to be due to gallstones
mutations in which genes are risk factors for pancreatic cancer?
-2
BRCA2 gene
KRAS gene mutation
which endocrine disorders are risk factors for pancreatic cancer?
-2
Multiple endocrine neoplasia
Diabetes
risk factors for pancreatic cancer?
-8
Old Smoker Diabetes Chronic pancreatitis Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal carcinoma Multiple endocrine neoplasia BRCA2 gene KRAS gene mutation
how many pancreatic cancer pts have a KRAS gene mutation? (%)
90%
symptoms of pancreatic cancer?
-6
pale stools, dark urine, pruritus
Weight loss
Steatorrhoea
Diabetes syptoms - polyuria, thirsty
define pruritus?
itching
what type of jaundice indicates pancreatic cancer?
and symptoms caused by this?
-4
Painless obstructive jaundice = pale stools, dark urine, pruritus, yellow skin
Losing exocrine function in pancreatic cancer causes what symptoms?
-2
steatorrhoea + weight loss
Losing endocrine function in pancreatic cancer causes what symptom?
-1
diabetes
1st Ix?
US
IX of Choice?
CT
results on LFTs?
↑↑ALP ↑GGT ↑Bilirubin
Tumour maker for pancreatic cancer?
CA 19-9
what is the definitive treatment for pancreatic cancer?
- has 2 names
how many people eligible for this procedure?
Whipple’s resection aka pancreaticoduodenectomy +chemotherapy after surgery
20% actually suitable for surgery
treatment method for most people with pancreatic cancer?
palliative for most people
what procedure can relieves symptoms, but is not a cure.
ERCP
