The pancreas is an essential part of the digestive system. It produces hormones, such as insulin to regulate and process sugar, and digestive juices, such as tripsyn, to break down proteins, amylase to break down starches, and lipase to break down fats. Cancer of the pancreas, or pancreatic cancer, occurs when cells change or mutate, grow rapidly and become tumors. There is no clear cause of pancreatic cancer but heredity causes 10 percent of cases and other factors contribute to its development. According to the National Cancer Institute, there were 42,470 cases of pancreatic cancer in 2009. It is the fourth leading cause of death from cancer in the United States.
Cell Changes
When the DNA in cells changes or mutates inappropriately, cancer can result. DNA is inherited and it instructs the cells on how to function. According to the American Cancer Society, there are several family cancer syndromes that may point to an inherited component. Mutations in the VHL gene cause Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome that increases the risk of pancreatic cancer. When the gene MEN1 mutates, it increases the risk of cancer in the islet cells of the pancreas that produce insulin. Environmental exposure to pesticides and chemicals and cancerous substances, such as found in cigarette smoke, are more likely than inherited factors to cause cell changes. In the pancreas, mutating cells in the ducts that create digestive juices become pancreatic exocrine tumors. A more rare form of pancreatic cancer, which develops in the cells that produce insulin, is called pancreatic endocrine cancer.
Diabetes
Pancreatic cancer is more common in people with diabetes but the reason for this is unknown. Adult onset diabetes, also called type 2 diabetes, is often related to obesity and presents the most risk. A clear link between juvenile diabetes, also known as type 1 diabetes, has not been established. Cancer of the pancreas can also cause diabetes in rare cases.
Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas, called pancreatitis, puts an individual at a higher risk of cancer. Not all patients with pancreatitis get cancer but smokers with pancreatitis are at greater risk. A family history of chronic pancreatitis due to a gene mutation in the PRSS1 gene also increases the risk of pancreatic cancer and is seen in 10 percent of cases, according to the American Cancer Society.
Poor Health Behaviors
Living an unhealthy lifestyle does not cause cancer of the pancreas, but it does increase the risk of developing the disease. Smoking increases the risk of pancreatic cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, smokers have a two to three times greater risk of developing cancer of the pancreas than non-smokers. Obesity and lack of exercise also increase the risk.
Additional Risk Factors
According to the American Cancer Society, a risk factor affects the chance of getting a disease like pancreatic cancer. While risk factors do not cause cancer, they may increase the chance of developing the disease. Infection of the stomach with an ulcer causing bacteria, high levels of acid in the stomach and cirrhosis of the liver increases the risk of pancreatic cancer. Eating charred, well-done meats or a diet high in fat are risk factors for the disease. African-Americans, males and people over 55 also have a higher risk.
