Introduction

Pancreatic cancer will be the tenth most commonly diagnosed form of cancer among men in United States in 2010. According to the American Cancer Society estimates, 43,140 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2010.   It will account for an estimated 3 percent of all new cancer cases. Most pancreatic cancers occur in people more than 60 years old, although the condition can develop at any age. The lifetime risk of developing pancreatic cancer is about 1 in 72 (1.38%). This is about the same for men and women.

The pancreas is a digestive organ located toward the back of the abdomen, just below and behind the stomach. It produces digestive substances that help you break down food into nutrients that your body can use for energy, as part of the digestive process. The pancreas also produces insulin, a hormone that regulates the breakdown of food and production of energy.

Other names for pancreatic cancer are cancer of the pancreas, pancreas cancer, and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. An adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that begins in the cells that line the glands and ducts within the pancreas. It accounts for 90 percent of cancers originating in the pancreas.

Smoking is an important risk factor for pancreatic cancer. Cigarette smokers are two to three times more likely than nonsmokers to develop pancreatic cancer. Other risk factors for pancreatic cancer include a family history of pancreatic cancer, having diabetes, or having chronic pancreatitis (long-term inflammation of the pancreas).

This content has been reviewed and approved by Myo Thant, MD.