Pancreatic cancer research

The pancreas is a gland located in the abdomen. It is located between the stomach, intestines and other organs of the digestive system. 

Pancreatic cancer occurs when pancreatic tissue cells undergo abnormal changes in their genetic material due to exposure to carcinogens or inflammatory processes. 

It belongs to the group of hepato-pancreato-biliary tumors (HPB), an area that refers to an anatomical and functional area involving the liver, pancreas, gallbladder and biliary tract.

In most cases, pancreatic cancer is diagnosed in advanced stages, when it has already metastasized to other organs such as the liver, peritoneum or lungs. It is one of the cancers with the worst prognosis and its incidence has increased significantly in recent years. 

There are several risk factors associated with its development, the main one being tobacco consumption, although there are other factors such as chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, obesity or diets rich in meat and fat. 

Pancreatic cancer can be caused by an alteration in one of its cell types:

• Exocrine cells: responsible for producing enzymes that are secreted into the small intestine and help digest food. They are the origin of pancreatic ductal carcinoma, which accounts for about 95% of pancreatic cancer cases.
• Endocrine cells: responsible for making different hormones that help control the concentration of glucose in the blood. Neuroendocrine carcinoma originates in these cells, causing 5% of the remaining cases.

The therapeutic strategies and prognosis of both subgroups are substantially different, with pancreatic ductal carcinoma being the most aggressive and with fewer therapeutic options.