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Pathology
Can be an exocrine tumour (adenocarcinoma) or endocrine (e.g. Insulinoma, VIPoma, gastrinoma)
Aetiology
Exocrine tumours more common in patients with chronic pancreatitis and smokers .
Signs
Painless jaundice, steatorrhoea, palpable gallbladder, ascites
Symptoms
Abdominal Pain, weight loss and anorexia
Investigations
Bloods: LFTs show a raised Bilirubin and ALP
Tumour Markers: Raised CA 19-9
Imaging: Ultrasound Abdomen shows a dilated biliary tree and pancreatic mass.
CT Abdomen shows a pancreatic mass,
Treatment
Medical: If unresectable, treatment is chemotherapy
Surgical: If resectable, usually treated with Whipple’s pancreatoduodenectomy
Prognosis
Often diagnosed late so prognosis is poor.
Median survival with advanced disease is 8 to 12 months and metastatic disease is 3
to 6 months
Pancreatic leaks, fistula, chronic pain
Key Facts
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Key Images
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Key References
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