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Pancreas: The pancreas is a long, flat gland that sits tucked behind the stomach in the upper abdomen. The pancreas produces enzymes that help digestion and hormones that help regulate the way your body processes sugar (glucose).
A. PancreatitisIt can occur as acute pancreatitis or pancreatitis can occur as chronic pancreatitis, which is pancreatitis that occurs over many years. Mild cases of pancreatitis may go away without treatment, but severe cases can cause life-threatening complications.
Pancreatitis occurs when digestive enzymes become activated while still in the pancreas, irritating the cells of your pancreas and causing inflammation. With repeated bouts of acute pancreatitis, damage to the pancreas can occur and lead to chronic pancreatitis. Scar tissue may form in the pancreas, causing loss of function. A poorly functioning pancreas can cause digestion problems and diabetes.
Acute pancreatitis signs and symptoms include:
Chronic pancreatitis signs and symptoms include:
Factors that increase your risk of pancreatitis include:
Pancreatitis can cause serious complications, including:
Pancreatic cancer happens when uncontrolled cell growth begins in a part of the pancreas. Tumors develop, and these interfere with the way the pancreas works.
Cancer can affect either the endocrine or the exocrine glands in the pancreas.
Substances that may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer include certain:
When the body comes into contact with a carcinogen, free radicals form. These damage cells and affect their ability to function normally. The result can be cancerous growths.
Types of Pancreatic Cancer
Exocrine pancreatic cancer: Tumors that affect the exocrine functions – The exocrine glands produce juices, or enzymes, that enter the intestines and help digest fat, proteins, and carbohydrates. These make up most of the pancreas.
Endocrine pancreatic cancer: Tumors that affect the endocrine functions of the pancreas are called neuroendocrine or islet-cell tumors. These are fairly uncommon. – The endocrine glands are small clusters of cells known as the islets of Langerhans. They release the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. There, they manage blood sugar levels. When they are not working properly, the result is often diabetes.
Note: Pancreatic cancers affect men than often than women.