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PANCREATIC CANCER

Pancreatic cancer is malignancy arising from the pancreas.
It is the 13th most common cancer in the world, 10th most common in the United States, and 4th leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United Stated and Europe.
Exocrine tumors account for 95% of malignant pancreatic disease.
It is more common in women.
The median age of occurrence is at 71 years old.

Pancreatic%20cancer Management

Management

Follow Up

Assess for suspected recurrence
Patients with poor prognostic or high-risk features for disseminated disease include patients with:
- Large primary tumors
- Large regional lymph nodes
- Markedly elevated CA 19-9
- Extreme pain, excessive weight loss or highly symptomatic
- Borderline resectable tumors
Recommended follow-up schedules:
- 1st 2 years: History and physical examination, CA 19-9 and CT scan every 3-6 months
- 3rd year and thereafter: History and physical examination, CA 19-9 and CT scan annually

For post-op patients:
- If with elevated serum CA 19-9 levels, serum CA should be measured every 3 months for 2 years and abdominal CT scan performed every 6 months
- Insulin therapy may be prescribed after total pancreatectomy

Prevention

There are no definite measures to prevent PC but there are measures which can lower the risk for pancreatic cancer

Alcohol Consumption

Avoid or limit consumption of alcohol

Diet

Increase consumption of vegetables and whole grains
Decrease consumption of sugar

Exposure to Chemicals

Avoid exposure to certain chemicals

Smoking

Most established and most avoidable risk factor for PC
Patients should be discouraged from smoking, or for smokers, encouraged to quit smoking

Weight Management

Maintain normal body weight

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