National Nursing Review : Nursing Study Resources & Health Tips

Tumors of the exocrine pancreas:
Generally poor prognosis.

• 10% of digestive cancers.
• Average age of onset.
• 70 years for women.
• 65 for men.
• Promoting role of smoking and chronic pancreatic.

Pathologists:

• 2 / 3: head of the pancreas.
• 1 / 3: tail of the pancreas.
• Rapid expansion in loco regional lymph nodes.
• Adenocarcinoma.

Clinic.

• Late discovery as long clinically silent
• Cancer of the head: cholestatic jaundice.
• Cancer of the body and tail:
  • Epigastric pain type transfixing
  • Impaired general condition.
  • Sometimes palpable epigastric mass

Imaging.

• The ultrasound examination remains the first line, revealing a poorly defined hypo echoic mass, and to highlight liver metastases. As cites may also be disclosed and demonstrate a peritoneal carcinomas.
• The echo-endoscopy is useful in diagnosing small tumors.
• Scanner.
• ERCP.

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