Pancreatic Cancer Flashcards
1
Q
Who has a higher risk of getting pancreatic cancer?
A
there is a higher prevalence in:
- men
- smokers
- black population
2
Q
What is the mortality rate for pancreatic cancer?
A
90% in the first year
3
Q
What is the cause of pancreatic cancer?
A
gene mutation
4
Q
What are factors linked to pancreatic cancer?
A
- smoking (major risk)
- alcohol
- diabetes mellitus
- chronic pancreatitis
- age (over 50 years old)
- poor diet/lifestyle
5
Q
What kind of cancer is most pancreatic cancer?
A
90% are adenocarcinomas (duct epithelium)
6
Q
What causes the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer?
A
the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer are most often due to the tumour/mass itself affecting the surrounding tissue rather than the decrease in function of the pancreas due to the tumour
7
Q
What are classic manifestations of pancreatic cancer?
A
- weight loss
- abdominal pain
- jaundice
8
Q
How is pancreatic cancer diagnosed?
A
- exclude other stuff
- ultrasound, CT
9
Q
How is pancreatic cancer treated?
A
- by the time it is detected, it has usually already metastasized
- pain control is key
- surgery might be used to debulk a bit if it is a primary tumour
- palliative care, radiation
- chemo not generally very effective
