Pancreatic cancer (pancreatic cancer) is a relatively rare disease. It accounts for about three percent of all cancers. Pancreatic cancer usually occurs in enzymproduzierenden (so-called exocrine) part of the pancreas, also called the pancreas. It is extremely important to detect pancreatic cancer at an early stage. If this succeeds, the chances of cure and thus significantly improved the survival rate.

About 20 percent of these patients is due to a timely diagnosis, surgical removal of the tumor by surgery possible. In the other cases of pancreatic cancer is discovered too late. ) Due to the expansion of advanced pancreatic cancer and the very early formation of relocation of other organs (metastasis surgery is then often no longer possible. In half the cases exist at the time of diagnosis already have such secondary growths. In these cases come mainly chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the treatment used. Their goal is to mitigate the disease process and improve the quality of life of those affected. Overall, the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer with an unfavorable survival rate is linked. Only four to five percent of these people live after diagnosis more than five years.

The classic symptoms of jaundice and upper abdominal pain usually occur only when more advanced pancreatic cancer.

The pancreas (the pancreas) is located on the posterior abdominal wall below the diaphragm. It produces digestive juices on the one hand, they add into the duodenum, on the other hand, the hormone insulin, which is essential for sugar metabolism of the cells