What are the characteristics of pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in the U. S. Each year, approximately 30,000 Americans develop cancer of the pancreas. It occurs more frequently in women than in men. It is typically diagnosed at age 60 or over, and is seldom found in patients under age 40. Cancer of the pancreas is difficult to diagnose because the organ is surrounded and hidden by other organs, including the stomach, small intestine, bile duct, gallbladder, liver and spleen. This is why pancreatic cancer is frequently undetected in its earliest stage. One of the early warning signs is jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes.
