Pancreatic cancer refers to cancer that starts in the pancreas. There are two types of cells that make up the pancreas: exocrine cells and endocrine cells. Each type of cell forms different types of tumors and cancers. Knowing the difference between exocrine and endocrine cancers is important because the risk factors, causes, symptoms, treatments and survival rates differ depending on the cancer.
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is by far the most common type of pancreatic cancer and is the type typically seen in hereditary forms of pancreatic cancer.
3% of new cancers
Pancreatic cancer makes up 3% of
all new cancers diagnosed in the
US each year.
1 in 66 women
Approximately 1 in 66 women will
develop pancreatic cancer
in their lifetime.
1 in 66 men
Approximately 1 in 66 men will
develop pancreatic cancer
in their lifetime.
Mutations are rare, but when they exist, they significantly increase cancer risk.
It is estimated that people with a history of smoking cigarettes have twice as high a risk of developing pancreatic cancer compared to non-smokers.
Certain medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, liver disease, and the bacteria H. pylori in the stomach increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.
Exposure to certain pesticides, dyes, and chemicals used in metal refining may increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
A factor that can decrease the risk of pancreatic cancer is a lower body mass index (BMI).
References
