1. Cancer of the Pancreas
By Cindy Mendez

2. What is the pancreas?
The pancreas is a large gland located behind the stomach and next to the duodenum.

3. The pancreas has two main functions:
To secrete powerful digestive enzymes into the small intestine to aid the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins and fat.
To release the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. (regulating blood glucose levels).

4. What is cancer of the pancreas ?
Pancreatic cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the pancreas.
(The digestive juices are produced by exocrine pancreas cells and the hormones are produced by endocrine pancreas cells. About 95% of pancreatic cancers begin in exocrine cells.)
And is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the US and canada

5. Etiology/pathophysiology
Exact Causes are unknown
But are often related to..
smoking
People exposed
to carcinogens
People with pancreatitis
People with diabetes
mellitus
Diets high in fat, meat,
and coffee

6. Symptoms include the following:
Jaundice
Pain in the upper or middle abdomen and back
Unexplained
weight loss
Loss of appetite
Fatigue

7. Symptoms (cont’d)
Flatulence
Change in stool
Depression
Pruritis
And onset
of diabetes

8. Diagnostics Health history performing a physical exam CT scan MRI
Endoscopic ultrasound

9. Diagnostics (cont’d)
Laparoscopy (surgical procedure to look at organs)
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC; procedure used to X-ray liver and bile ducts)
Biopsy

10. Medical management Surgery Chemotherapy Radiation therapy
If necessary to remove tumor (not typical)
Or pancreatoduodenectomy
Whipple procedure
Total pancreatectomy
Chemotherapy
Combination of 5-fu and Gemzar
Radiation therapy
Does not alter survival rate but helps with pain
Adjuvant therapy

11. Interventions/ teaching
Maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance
Preventing hemorrhage
Preventing respiratory complications
Monitoring endocrine and exocrine functions of the pancreas

12. Interventions/ teaching
Encourage friends and family members to support patient for patient’s well being
Providing active listening and caring skills.

13. Prognosis Very poor About 5-12 months after diagnosis
5 yr survival rate is less than 10 %