Pancreatic Cancer Flashcards
1
Q
What is the blood supply of the pancreas?
A
Splenic artery (coeliac artery)
Common hepatic artery (from coeliac)
Superior and inferior pancreatico-duodenal artery
2
Q
What are the functions of the pancreas?
A
endocrine - Glucose regulation
Exocrine - Trypsinogen (digest protein), amylase (digest starch), Lipase (digest fats)
3
Q
What are the risk factors for pancreatic cancer
A
- Age 65-75
- Smoking, diabetes, high BMI, alcohol excess
- Chronic or hereditary pancreatitis
- Genetic familial syndromes (BRCA, FAP, Lynch)
- peptic ulcer disease and IBD.
4
Q
What are the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer?
A
- Painless, obstructive jaundice
- Cachexia, unexplained weight loss
- Pale stools and dark urine
- Palpable gallbladder(Courvoisier syndrome)
- Acute pancreatitis
- Hematemesis, melaena,
- Migratory thrombophlebitis (Trousseau signs)
- Early signs are malaise, abdo pain, nausea and weight loss
- Late signs are obstructive jaundice, diabetes, unexplained pancreatitis
5
Q
what are the investigations for pancreatic cancer?
A
- Bloods: FBC, UEs, LFTs, CRP, Bone profile glucose
- Ca 19-9
- CT scan
- Abdominal ultrasound to look for liver mets
- CT CAP
- ERCP
6
Q
What are some different types of pancreatic cancer?
A
- Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
- Cystic non-endocrine
- Neuroendocrine (gastrinoma, insulinoma, glucagonoma)
7
Q
What is the treatment for pancreatic cancer?
A
- Whipple’s procedure
- Adjuvant chemotherapy (FOLFIRINOX)
- ERCP with stenting is often palliative
8
Q
What are some side effects of a Whipple’s procedure?
A
Dumping syndrome and peptic ulcer disease
