There are two types of pancreatic cancer:
- Exocrine pancreatic cancer usually occurs in the cells of the ducts in the pancreas that carry digestive fluids. Ninety-five percent of pancreatic cancers of the exocrine are adenocarcinomas (cancer cells that occur in the lining of the pancreas where there are glandular [secretory] cells). There are others less common forms of this cancer as well.
- Endocrine pancreatic cancer occurs in cells of the pancreas that produce hormones including insulin and glucagon. These tumors are called islet cell carcinomas or endocrine tumors. A small percentage of pancreatic cancers are from endocrine cells.
The causes of pancreatic cancer are not known. However, major risk factors include smoking and hereditary conditions associated with predisposition to cancer. Patients whose immediate family members have had pancreatic cancer have a risk factor up to three times higher than the normal population.
An estimated 33,730 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2006, with 32,300 deaths predicted, according to the ACS. The disease occurs slightly more often in men than women. Approximately 4 percent of people diagnosed with cancer of the exocrine pancreas will survive 5 years or more.
Because exocrine cancers are far more common, the majority of this Patient Guide refers to pancreatic cancer of the exocrine cells.
About pancreatic cancer
