A comprehensive review on pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is characterized as a fatal disease where the healthy cells of the pancreas stops functioning and
undergoes uncontrollable cell division. Three types of pancreatic tumors are in existence. They are pancreatic
neuroendocrine tumor, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and exocrine tumor. Pancreatic cancer stands in the
14th position in causing the most general cancer. In India, the pancreatic cancer incidence is measured at a low
point i.e. (0.5-2.4 per 100000) in males and (0.2-1.8 per 100000) in females. Diabetes, smoking habit, excessive
alcohol consumption for prolonged years, cholecystectomy, gastrectomy and low intake of fruits and vegetables
are considered to be the major risk factors. Smoking termination will be the powerful action to decrease the
opportunity of pancreatic cancer. Pancreatitis will lead to the pancreatic cancer. Pancreatitis and diabetes acts as
a background disease in the pancreatic cancer. To diagnose pancreatic cancer, Computed Tomography, Magnetic
Resonance Imaging technique acts as a first-line and second-line techniques respectively. Surgical treatment is
the only treatment believed to be producing the potential cure, with the combination of chemotherapy. The
medications prescribed as per USAD are Capecitabine, 5-Flurouracil, Irinotecan, Leucovorin, Oxaliplatin, Nab-
paclitaxel. Pancreatic cancer is recognized as life threatening disease in both developed and developing
countries.