Trends in Pancreatic Cancer Research

Carcinoma of the pancreas has markedly increased in incidence over the past several decades, and now ranks as the fourth leading cause of cancer death. Cancer of the pancreas is abnormal cell growth in the tissue of the pancreas which is a small organ (about six inches long) located next to the small intestine, behind the stomach. The pancreas has two main jobs in the body: to produce juices that help digest (break down) food and to produce hormones, such as insulin and glucagon, that help control blood sugar levels. Both of these hormones help the body use and store the energy it gets from food. The majority of pancreatic cancers are adenocarcinomas. Adenocarcinomas are tumours that arise from the exocrine portion of the pancreas. The exocrine portion of the pancrease produces digestive fluids. A small number of pancreatic cancers begin in the endocrine pancreas. The endocrine portion produces hormones (such as insulin). Despite the high mortality rate associated with pancreatic cancer, its aetiology is poorly understood, it is rarely curable and has an overall survival rate of less than 4%. Research on changing the survival rates of this stubborn disease is highlighted in this new book.