Pancreatic Cancer Flashcards
99% of pancreatic cancer is adenocarcinoma of e_____ pancreas of d____ origin
exocrine
ductal
Who is particularly at risk of pancreatic cancers?
Males aged over 60
What are risk factors for pancreatic cancer?
Smoking, alcohol, DM, family history, chronic pancreatitis, genetic predisposition
What part of the pancreas is typically affected by adenocarcinoma?
The head of the pancreas
What mutation is associated with pancreatic cancer?
PRSS-1 gene mutation
C____ sign is painless jaundice and palpable gall bladder associated with adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas
Courvoisier
What are signs of adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas?
Courvoisier sign (painless jaundice and palpable gall bladder)
Pale stool
Dark urine
What are signs of adenocarcinoma of body and tail of pancreas?
Epigastric pain radiating to the back, relieved by sitting forward
How do you investigate suspected pancreatic cancer?
Abdominal ultrasound (1st line)
Pancreatic CT protocol (gold standard) then bile duct drainage
Ca19-9 tumour marker positive (non-diagnostic but helps monitor disease progression)
What is the treatment for pancreatic cancer?
Surgery and post-op chemo if no metastasis
Otherwise palliative care
3% 5 year survival
What is trousseau sign of malignancy
non-specific episodes of vessel inflammation due to blood clots (migratory phlebitis)
