Pancreatic Cancer

Question 1

Pancreatic Cancer Type

Answer 1

is mostly a Ductal Adenocarcinoma - mostly in exocrine glands.

60% arise in the head of the pancreas, 13% in the body, 5% in the tail, and 22% in multiple sites.

Question 2

Pancreatic Cancer Sites

Answer 2

se in the head of the pancreas, 13% in the body, 5% in the tail, and 22% in multiple sites.

Question 3

Pancreatic Cancer Age & Sex

Answer 3

It mostly affects those aged between 60 and 80 years old, and M>F.

Question 4

Pancreatic Cancer - Risk Factors =

Answer 4

Smoking, Alcohol, Carcinogens, Diabetes, Chronic Pancreatitis, High fat diet.

Question 5

Pancreatic Cancer - Symptoms:

Answer 5

Abdominal Pain (can radiate to the back, worse on lying down, and is relieved by sitting forward)
Weight Loss
Anorexia, Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhoea/Steatorrhoea.

Question 6

Pancreatic Cancer - Signs:

Answer 6

JAAAPPSS TH:
Jaundice (can simply present as painless jaundice)
Abdominal Mass
Abdominal Tenderness
Ascites
Palpable Gallbladder
Portal Hypertension
Spleenomegaly, Supraclavicular Lymphadenopathy
Subcutaneous Fat Nodules (which are tender)
Thrombophlebitis Migrans
Hepatomegaly.

Question 7

Pancreatic Cancer - Investigation:

Answer 7

CA19-9 Tumour Marker
MRI
Abdominal Ultrasound
Bloods
CT
EUS/ERCP/MRCP
Ultrasound.

Question 8

Pancreatic Cancer - Treatment:

Answer 8

Surgery (Pancreatoduodenectomy)
Laparoscopic Excision
Palliation of Jaundice
Pain Control 
- Opiates, Coeliac Plexus Block, Radiotherapy, Post-operative Chemotherapy.