Pancreatic cancer is a condition that arises when the cells inside the pancreas begin to multiply out of control and ultimately form a mass or in most cases, an exocrine tumor. The pancreas is placed just behind the lower part of the abdomen and a cancer in the pancreas even if detected early, generally has low prognosis. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are another type that are less common but can often have a better prognosis. The cancerous cells in the pancreas can plague other parts of the body as well.
The exact reason as to why one develops a pancreatic cancer is unclear. However, it occurs when pancreatic cells start to develop mutation in their DNA, causing the cells to grow uncontrollably. These swollen cells tend to live longer and accumulate acting as a base for tumor to form.
In most cases, major symptoms of the pancreatic cancer do not occur until the advanced stage of the disease. However as they appear, these particular symptoms may include:
Although there is no specific cause found till now that might cause pancreatic cancer, doctors suggest taking precautions and steps to reduce risks: