Pancreatic Cancer Flashcards
What is the most common cell type of pancreatic cancer?
Adenocarcinoma (usually of the exocrine glands).
why is pancreatic cancer usually diagnosed late?
Because it has very non specific symptoms + spreads fast.
Where does pancreatic cancer commonly spread to?
Lung Liver Bowel Peritoneum Bone
where does pancreatic cancer usually occur?
Usually in the head (next most common would be the neck).
what is the 5-year survival rate of pancreatic cancer when caught early?
<25%
What is the common life expectancy of pancreatic cancer if caught at an advanced stage?
6 months
what are the non specific signs?
Malaise Abdominal pain Nausea Weight loss Upper abdominal pain Back pain Vomiting Change in bowel habit
what are more specific signs of pancreatic cancer?
Painless obstructive jaundice Palpable mass in epigastric region New onset diabetes Worsening diabetes Jaundice Pale stools Dark urine Pruritis trousseau's sign Courviosier's sign
What is trossuea’s sign?
migrating thrombophlebitis:
Blood clots are felt as small lumps under the skin, they migrate to different places.
what is a differential diagnosis for painless obstructive jaundice?
Cholangiocarcinoma (cancer of the bile duct).
What is courviosiers sign/law?
A painless palpable gall bladder with jaundice - usually pancreatic cancer or cholangiocarcinoma.
Gallstones would be painful, not painless.
What is courviosiers sign/law?
A painless palpable gall bladder with jaundice - usually pancreatic cancer or cholangiocarcinoma.
Gallstones would be painful, not painless.
why does obstructive jaundice occur?
Because the tumour is usually in the head and blocks the bile ducts.
When should patients be referred?
> 40yrs - with jaundice - 2 wk referral directly for cancer.
> 60yrs - with weight loss + additional symptom - direct CT of abdomen.
Additional symptoms: diarrhoea back pain abdominal pain nausea vomiting constipation new onset diabetes
What are the lab findings?
increased serum amylase
Increased serum lipase
Elevated CA19-9
