Pancreatic cancer Flashcards
1
Q
Define
A
Commonly a primary adenocarcinoma of pancreatic exocrine tissue
2
Q
Rx
A
SMOKING ALCOHOL DIABETES Chronic pancreatitis Low fruit/high fat and processed red meat diet Liver cirrhosis FH
3
Q
Hallmarks of a tumour of the HEAD of pancreas
A
Painless obstructive jaundice and weight loss
4
Q
Other symptoms
A
New onset DM
Pruritis
Nausea
Steatorrhea
If due to pancreatitis, epigastric pain radiating to back, worse at night
5
Q
Investigations
A
USS to check for duct dilation - dilated liver ducts confirms obstruction
CT to look at pancreas
6
Q
Treatment
A
Surgical removal if there is no liver metastasis, called Whipple’s procedure (removal of head of pancreas)
7
Q
What percentage of pancreatic cancer is in the head of the pancreas?
A
60%
8
Q
Marker
A
CA19-9
