Pancreatic Cancer [Video]

Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive and often deadly form of cancer that originates in the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach. This type of cancer is particularly challenging due to its late diagnosis and lack of effective treatment options.

Pancreatic cancer typically begins in the exocrine cells of the pancreas, which produce enzymes that aid in digestion. The most common type is adenocarcinoma, which accounts for about 95% of all pancreatic cancer cases. Symptoms of pancreatic cancer can be vague and non-specific, often including abdominal pain, weight loss, jaundice, and loss of appetite. These symptoms usually do not appear until the cancer has already progressed to an advanced stage.

Early detection is crucial, but unfortunately, pancreatic cancer is often not diagnosed until it has already spread to other organs. Risk factors include older age, smoking, obesity, and a family history of the disease. Treatment options can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapies, but the prognosis remains poor, with a 5-year survival rate of only about 9%. Ongoing research is focused on developing more effective screening methods and exploring new treatment approaches.