Pancreatic Cancer Flashcards
1
Q
Functions of pancreas
A
Exocrine- digestive enzymes
Endocrine- islet cells involved with blood sugar regulation
2
Q
RF pancreatic cancer
A
- chronic pancreatitis
- smoking
- DM
- family history of global malignancy
3
Q
Clinical
A
- painless jaundice
- unintentional weight loss
- recent onset of atypical DM
- palpable mass (late stage)
- ascites (late stage)
- courvoisier’s sign
4
Q
What is courvoisier’s sign?
A
non-tender palpable gallbladder with jaundice
5
Q
Labs
A
LFT- increased and bilirubin increase if bile can’t get out
CA 19-9 (pancreatic cancer tumor marker)
6
Q
Imaging
A
- Start with ultrasound to look at biliary system
- then do CT
- MRI is best imaging modality
- Endoscopic ultrasound lets us look at pancreas, biopsy the tumor and look at the lymph nodes around
7
Q
Tx
A
- only curative approach is surgery
- stage 1 to 2b is most likely to be cured by radical resection
- do a whipple if tumor in head of pancreas
- distal pancreatectomy is tumor in body or tail
- chemotherapy
8
Q
What is a whipple?
A
- resection of head of pancreas
- excise the duodenum and bile duct
- reconstruction with intestine
9
Q
What is a majority of primary pancreatic cancer?
A
ductal adenocarcinoma
10
Q
Where do most cancers arise?
A
head
11
Q
When most pancreatic cancers discovered where are they found?
A
metastasized to peripancreatic lymph nodes
12
Q
Where does pancreatic cancer metastasize to?
A
live
peritoneum
lung and pleura
adrenal glands
