26.300 new cases to be diagnosed in the U.S. this year. 27.800 deaths expected.
Risk factors
Increasing age; cigarrete smoking; chronic pancreatitis; diabetes. The disease is also more
common among blacks than whites, and the mortality rates have slightly risen among black women.
Warning signs
Usually none until disease is advanced. Jaundice and abdominal pain usually is the firsts signs.
Detection and diagnosis
Ultrasound image and CT scans. Biopsy.
Treatment
Tumors that are not small and confined to the pancreas are hard to treat. Surgery, radiation
and standard anticancer drugs can be used if the cancer has not metastasized, but usually
diagnosis is too late for this approaches. To alleviate the pain of the disease, radiotherapy,
surgical procedures to clear the bile ducts and nerve blocks can be effective.
Five-year survival rates
All stages: 3,6% Localized: 12% Distant spread: 1,6%
Control of pain is usually the target of the therapy.
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Risk factors
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