Pancreatic Cancer
Disease Information
Genentech BioOncology is dedicated to advancing the science of pancreatic cancer therapy through comprehensive research programs and education. Pancreatic cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cancerous cells formed in the tissues of the pancreas. The cancer may develop in the head, body, or tail of the pancreas.1
- Most pancreatic tumors originate in the exocrine duct cells or acinar cells. Ninety-five percent of exocrine pancreatic cancers are adenocarcinomas1
- Endocrine and ampullary cancers are 2 other less common types of pancreatic cancer1
- Tumors that begin in the islet cells are referred to as endocrine tumors
- Ampullary tumors develop in the ampulla of Vater — located where the bile and pancreatic ducts empty into the small intestine
Pancreatic Cancer Demographics
- In 2010, over 43,000 people in the United States were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and more than 36,000 died of the disease2
- The incidence and death rate for pancreatic cancer has been rising slightly in women for several years2
Pancreatic Cancer Epidemiology
- Smoking, family history of pancreatic cancer, personal history of pancreatitis, diabetes, and obesity can contribute to the development of pancreatic cancer2
- Smoking doubles a person’s risk of developing pancreatic cancer2
- Despite significant advances in the treatment of many other human tumors, the 5-year survival rate for persons diagnosed with pancreatic cancer remains at about 6%2
- For those patients with localized disease, the 5-year relative survival rate is about 20%2
Pancreatic tumors often develop without overt symptoms. Some conditions such as glucose intolerance, jaundice, or pain in the upper abdomen may indicate pancreatic cancer, but it often goes undiagnosed until the cancer is quite advanced.1,2 There are currently no methods for early detection of pancreatic cancer.1,2
Other links to pancreatic cancer disease information
These links give a sampling of other sites offering information on pancreatic cancer, which you may find useful in your practice.
- National Cancer Institute at National Institutes of Health, Pancreatic Cancer
- ASCO Cancer Portals - Gastrointestinal Cancer
- Cancer Facts & Figures
Unless otherwise indicated, Genentech, Inc. is neither affiliated with nor endorses any of the organizations listed.
References:
- 1.
- American Cancer Society. Pancreatic cancer. www.cancer.org/Cancer/PancreaticCancer/DetailedGuide/
pancreatic-cancer-what-is-cancer. Accessed April 14, 2011. - 2.
- American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2010. www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@epidemiologysurveilance/
documents/document/acspc-026238.pdf. Accessed April 14, 2011.