Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Abstract

An estimated 33,370 people will die of pancreatic cancer in the United States in 2007, making it the fourth most common cause of cancer-related death among men in the United States. Although incidence is roughly equal among men and women, African Americans appear to have a higher incidence of pancreatic cancer than white Americans. The NCCN Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Guidelines discuss risk factors, diagnosis and staging, and treatment through palliative care or surveillance for patients with tumors of the exocrine pancreas. Overall, in view of the poor outcome of patients with all stages of pancreatic cancer, the NCCN panel recommends that investigational options be considered in all phases of disease management. Specific palliative measures are recommended for patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma characterized by biliary or gastric obstruction, severe abdominal pain, or other tumor-associated manifestations of the disease. For the most recent version of the guidelines, please visit NCCN.org