The pancreas produces and releases enzymes that aid in food digestion and hormones that help to regulate the processing of certain substances within the body. Within the pancreas is a network of ducts that channel digestive enzymes from the pancreas into the intestines. During the past 40 to 50 years, the number of reported cases of pancreatic cancer in the United States has increased dramatically. However, according to the American Cancer Society, over the past 20 years, the rate of pancreatic cacner has declined in men and remained stable for women. Most people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer are between the ages of 60 and 80.
Pancreatic cancer is more common in men than women.
The causes of pancreatic cancer are unclear. There is a higher rate of pancreatic cancer in individuals exposed to certain pesticides, who work in aluminum milling or with coal tar pitch, and in those exposed to certain chemicals such as naphthalene or benzidine. Additionally, high fat diets, alcohol abuse, diabetes, and chronic pancreatitis have possible associations with pancreatic cancer. In the early stages, pancreatic cancer generally produces no symptoms. As the disease progresses, symptoms appear based on the location of the tumor within the pancreas and may include pain, loss of appetite, indigestion, weight loss, jaundice and generalized weakness.