Pancreatic cancer occurs when cells in the pancreas grow uncontrollably and form a tumor. It is the third leading cause of cancer related death in the U.S. Because pancreatic cancer is aggressive and often does not cause symptoms until it is advanced, people with a family history or other inherited risk factors may qualify for genetic testing and screening.
Several risk factors can increase a patient’s risk of developing pancreatic cancer, such as:
Pancreatic cancer symptoms do not usually appear until the disease is advanced. Symptoms can include:
There is no sure way to prevent pancreatic cancer. However, you can take steps to lower your risk, such as:
Depending on the stage of disease and the tumor’s size and location, pancreatic cancer may be treated with one or a combination of the following:
