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Pancreatic carcinoma - Overview

Alternative Names

Pancreatic cancer; Cancer - pancreas

Definition of Pancreatic carcinoma:

Pancreatic carcinoma is cancer of the pancreas.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Pancreatic cancer is slightly more common in men than in women. The risk increases with age.

The cause is unknown, but it is more common in smokers and in people who are obese. Almost a third of cases of pancreatic cancer are due to cigarette smoking.

There is controversy as to whether type 2 diabetes is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. A small number of cases are known to be related to syndromes that are passed down through families.

Digestive system

Endocrine glands

Pancreatic cancer, CT scan

Pancreas

Biliary obstruction - series

Reviewed last on: 8/17/2008
Sean O. Stitham, MD, private practice in Internal Medicine, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Brand R. Pancreatic cancer. Dis Mon. 2004;50:545-555.

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