Pancreatic Cancer Flashcards
What is the 5 year survival rate of pancreatic cancer
3%
What type of cancer cell type is usually found in a pancreatic cancer
Ductal adenocarcinoma
What are the two functional parts of the pancreas that a tumour can grow in
Endocrine
Exocrine
Is an exocrine or endocrine pancreatic cancer more common
Exocrine
Where do exocrine ductal adenocarcinomas commonly form
The head of the pancreas (60 cases)
What effect does a exocrine ductal adenocarcinoma at the tail of the pancreas have.
It often compresses with common bile duct lading to obstructive jaundice
What is the most common metastasis site of a exocrine ductal adenocarcinomas in the pancreas
The liver
What are the risk factors for pancreatic cancer
Smoking
Alcohol
Chronic pancreatitis
Diabetes
When do symptoms of pancreatic cancer begin to occer
advanced disease
What are the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer
Upper abdominal pain Painless obstructive jaundice Weight loss Tender subcutaneous fat nodules Steatorrhoea Anorexia Extreme fatigue Ascites Migratory thrombophlebitis
What may be palpable in pancreatic disease and what is this sign called
Gall bladder
Courvoisers sign
Why can you locate tender subcutaneous fat nodules in pancreatic cancer
Due to metastatic fat necrosis
What investigations are used for pancreatic cancer
CT (gold standard) Bloods CXR USS MRI ECG
What treatments are used for pancreatic cancer
Surgery
Palliative chemotherapy
What is Migratory thrombophlebitis
Migratory thrombophlebitis is a clot that moves around the body, often from one leg to other. It’s often linked to an underlying cancer, especially of the pancreas or lung.
