ABSTRACT
Pancreatic cancer has been shown to commonly occur in black populations in the USA, in Koreans, and in the Maori population of New Zealand. Numerous risk factors are associated with the development of pancreatic cancer. Symptomatology is dependent largely on the location of the tumour, with tumours of the head and body of the pancreas, for example, resulting in compression of the bile duct, coeliac nerves and duodenum. In general, pancreatic cancer is associated with abdominal pain, back pain, weight loss allied to malabsorption, and diabetes mellitus. Endoscopic ultrasound is the most sensitive and specific diagnostic tool for pancreatic cancer. The management of pancreatic cancer is dependent on the extent of tumour spread. Cancers that are deemed to be resectable include those which do not involve the superior mesenteric arterial/venous supply or coeliac axis. The prognosis for pancreatic cancer is extremely poor, and good-quality management is essential for patients and their families.
