<aside>

Pancreatic cancer most commonly refers to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a highly aggressive malignancy that arises from the exocrine pancreas. It accounts for >90% of all pancreatic malignancies.

</aside>

Understanding Pancreatic Cancer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nCwUEaVkj0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPb2QXoxamM

Epidemiology

• 10th most common cancer worldwide but 4th leading cause of cancer death.
• Peak: 60–80 years.
• Slight male predominance.

Risk factors:

• Cigarette smoking (strongest modifiable)
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Diabetes mellitus
• Family history, hereditary pancreatitis
• Genetic syndromes: BRCA2, Peutz-Jeghers, Lynch syndrome
• High-fat diet, obesity

Pathology

• Most common site: Head (60–70%), body (20%), tail (5–10%).
• Histology: Ductal adenocarcinoma (others: acinar cell carcinoma, neuroendocrine tumors, mucinous cystic neoplasms).