Cancer of the Pancreas

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Pancreatic cancer is a disease in which the cells of the pancreas become malignant. The pancreas has two main functions; (i) it makes juices that help digest food and (ii) produces hormones (including insulin) that conrol how food is used and stored in the body. The vast majority of pancreatic cancers are associated with the part of the pancreas that makes digestive juices - these are known as "exocrine" pancreatic cancers. Only about 1/20 pancreatic cancers start in the hormone producing part of the pancreas ; these are known as "endocrine" pancreatic cancer or "islet cell cancer". There are several types of exocrine pancreatic cancers (based on how the cells appear under the microsope), most are classed as "ductal adenocarcinomas". Pancreatic cancer is rare before the age of 40 years, incidence increases sharply with increasing age. Menu: Cancer of the Pancreas Information for Patients and the Public Information for Health Professionals / Researchers Genetics / Familial Pancreatic Cancer Cancers of the Endocrine System Cancers of the Gastrointestinal System Information for Patients and the Public (19 links) What You Need to Know About Cancer of the Pancreas- Patient's booklet (National Cancer Institute, USA) This site contains information about the disease, diagnosis, staging, and treatment options. ADEN-CYST - Adenoid Cystic Carcinomas Electronic Support Group (ACOR) Cancer of the Pancreas and the DPC4 (Smad4) Gene (National Center for Biotechnology Information) an overview of cancer of the pancreas and the DPC4 oncogene with links to other gene databases. Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The (NY, USA) The Foundation, in memory of Marc Lustgarten, raises money for pancreatic cancer research. The Web site includes details of the Foundation, newsletter, patient resources, conference and donation information. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center - Section of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders The Web site includes details of staff, educational materials, treatment issues, genetic testing, fellowship program and links. Pancreas Cancer - Fact Sheet Cancer Research UK Pancreas Cancer - overview (MedicineNet) Pancreas Cancer Home Page - Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions (USA) The web site includes detailed information about pancreatic cancer including pages on surgery, research, genetics, labs and facilities at Johns Hopkins. Pancreas Cancer Web Based at Johns Hopkins Cancer Center which maintains The National Familial Pancreas Tumor Registry. PANCREAS-ONC - Pancreatic Cancer Electronic Support Group Email discussion list Pancreatic cancer (CancerHelp UK) Information about the cancer, diagnosis, treatment and living with the disease. Pancreatic Cancer Action Network ( PanCan) (USA) An advocacy organization founded by patients and families in 1998 to focus attention on the need to find the cure for pancreatic cancer. The Web site provides details of events, services and informatiion for patients and health professionals. Pancreatic Carcinoma - Genetic information (OMIM, National Center for Biotechnology Information, USA) Pancreatica - Confronting Pancreatic Cancer This site is funded by the non-profit Lorenzen Cancer Foundation with input from an expert scientific board. It includes a searchable database of clinical trials, FAQs, news and research information relating to pancreatic cancer. Patient's information for Pancreatic (endocrine) Islet Cell Cancer (CancerNet) Information about the disease, staging, and treatment overviews. It is reviewed each month by a panel of medical experts. Patient's information for Pancreatic (exocrine) Cancer (CancerNet) Information about the disease, staging, and treatment overviews. It is reviewed each month by a panel of medical experts. Questions and Answers: Pancreatic cancer From the CancerHelp Web site produced by Cancer Research UK. The Pancreatic Duct This patient produced site contains information and assistance for the pancreatic cancer patient and their loved ones; the site has links to information on various aspects of prostate cancer and treatment, emotional support, pain control etc. Understanding Cancer of the Pancreas (BACUP, UK) An on-line booklet See also Cancer Resources for Patients and the Public See also Surgery See also Chemotherapy See also Radiotherapy Information for Health Professionals / Researchers (15 links) Cancer of the Pancreas and the DPC4 (Smad4) Gene (National Center for Biotechnology Information) an overview of cancer of the pancreas and the DPC4 oncogene with links to other gene databases. CancerLit: Endocrine Cancers (National Cancer Institute) On-line abstracts for health professionals. Sorted by month and year for Adrenocortical, Islet Cel, Parathyroid, Pheochronoctytoma, Pituitory, and Thyroid cancer. Case study: 72-year old man with pancreatic islet cell tumor (Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh) Endocrine Pathology. (WebPath, USA) Pathology Images - including some cancer related. Endocrine-Related Cancer Journal of the Society for Endocrinology - browsable abstracts and dowloadable full text PDF files. Guidance on Gemcitabine for Pancreatic Cancer A detailed technology appraisal by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). First issued in May 2001. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center - Section of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders The Web site includes details of staff, educational materials, treatment issues, genetic testing, fellowship program and links. Pancreas Cancer Home Page - Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions (USA) The web site includes detailed information about pancreatic cancer including pages on surgery, research, genetics, labs and facilities at Johns Hopkins. Pancreas Cancer Web Based at Johns Hopkins Cancer Center which maintains The National Familial Pancreas Tumor Registry. PANCREAS-ONC - Pancreatic Cancer Electronic Support Group Email discussion list Pancreatic Cancer Action Network ( PanCan) (USA) An advocacy organization founded by patients and families in 1998 to focus attention on the need to find the cure for pancreatic cancer. The Web site provides details of events, services and informatiion for patients and health professionals. Pancreatic Pathology (WebPath, USA) Pathology Images - including some cancer related. Pancreatica - Confronting Pancreatic Cancer This site is funded by the non-profit Lorenzen Cancer Foundation with input from an expert scientific board. It includes a searchable database of clinical trials, FAQs, news and research information relating to pancreatic cancer. Physician's PDQ Statement for Pancreatic (endocrine) Islet Cell Cancer (CancerNet) A referenced overview of the disease, cellular classification, staging, and current treatment overviews. It is reviewed each month by experts at the NCI. Physician's PDQ Statement for Pancreatic (exocrine) Cancer (CancerNet) A referenced overview of the disease, cellular classification, staging, and current treatment overviews. It is reviewed each month by experts at the NCI. Jensen RT Pancreatic endocrine tumors: recent advances [Review] Ann Oncol 1999;10 Suppl 4:170-6    Related articles (PubMed) See also Cancer Resources for Health Professionals See also Oncology Journals Genetics / Familial Pancreatic Cancer (3 links) Cancer of the Pancreas and the DPC4 (Smad4) Gene (National Center for Biotechnology Information) an overview of cancer of the pancreas and the DPC4 oncogene with links to other gene databases. European Registry Of Hereditary Pancreatitis And Familial Pancreatic Cancer (EUROPAC) The registry is co-ordinated by the University of Liverpool and aims to establish the number of families in Europe with Familial Pancreatic Cancer, investigate possible causative gene mutations and develop screening techniques. National Familial Pancreas Tumor Registry (Johns Hopkins Hospital, USA) The registry was established in 1994 and aims to establish whether or not neoplasms of the pancreas do occur in families, understanding the genetic basis of these cancers and to provide a resource for researchers. Medline Search: Familial Pancreatic Cancer (PubMed)   Limit search to: [Last Year]  Limit search to: [Last 2 Years]   Limit search to: [Reviews] See also DPC4 gene (18q21.1)