Pancreatic Cancer: What It Is, Causes, and Risk Factors

What is pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer is a malignant tumor that affects the pancreas. Among tumors affecting the digestive and endocrine systems, it has the worst prognosis.

What is the pancreas?

The pancreas is a gland located in the upper abdomen, behind the stomach and spleen. It is composed of exocrine cells, which produce enzymes essential for digestion, and endocrine cells, which are responsible for producing hormones—including those that regulate blood sugar levels.

Why Does Pancreatic Cancer Develop?

• Under normal conditions, when cells age or become damaged, they are replaced by new cells. This process, known as cell regeneration, is vital for maintaining the physical and functional integrity of living organisms.
• However, when cells lose their ability to regenerate—due to changes in their DNA—they become unstable and multiply uncontrollably. As a result, this leads to the formation of malignant tumors, as is also the case with pancreatic cancer.

The high risk associated with pancreatic cancer lies in the fact that it remains undetectable until it reaches an advanced stage.

Early diagnosis and immediate medical follow-up are vital for effective treatment.

What types of pancreatic cancer are there?

There are several types of pancreatic cancer. The most common are adenocarcinomas, which originate in exocrine cells and account for 85% of cases.

On the other hand, neuroendocrine tumors are less common but typically have a more favorable prognosis. They develop from endocrine cells and account for less than 5% of cases.

Causes and Risk Factors

Pancreatic cancer is the 7th leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Although the exact causes of pancreatic cancer are unknown, there are certain well-established risk factors. The main ones are:

• Chronic smoking: People who smoke have a higher risk of developing this disease compared to nonsmokers;
• Obesity: Obese individuals face a slightly higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer;
• Familial pancreatic cancer: the risk is higher for first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, or children) who have or have had the disease;
• Hereditary pancreatitis: this risk factor is characterized by frequent episodes of inflammation of the pancreas;
• Chronic pancreatitis: This condition is generally associated with alcohol and tobacco use.

The presence of one or more of these risk factors does not necessarily mean that you will develop pancreatic cancer. However, it is reason enough to remain vigilant and undergo regular medical checkups.

Type 2 diabetes and pancreatic cancer

Type 2 diabetes, particularly when newly diagnosed, is a major risk factor for the development of pancreatic tumors. It is estimated that 25% of pancreatic cancer cases occur in individuals with a history of diabetes.

Data suggest that individuals aged 50 or older who have recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have a 6- to 8-fold higher risk of being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer within three years of the initial diagnosis.

It is believed that this type of cancer may interfere with the proper response of insulin-producing cells (pancreatic islets) to glucose levels.

The Importance of Early Diagnosis

Pancreatic cancer is a silent disease that, in many cases, is not identified until it has reached more advanced stages. Unfortunately, there are still no viable treatment options for this condition, as the tumors are often resistant to chemotherapy.

For this reason, early diagnosis must be a top priority. This will help slow the progression of the disease, increase the chances of survival, and improve the overall quality of life for those affected.

You should see your primary care physician regularly, undergo routine screenings, and be on the lookout for possible signs, including loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), and others.

If you have a family history of cancer or risk factors for cancer, you should be even more vigilant! Learn more about the symptoms of pancreatic cancer.