Pancreatic cancer can be divided into three types according to the site of onset

The pancreas is an inconspicuous small organ deep in the upper abdomen of the human body, but it has a powerful secretory function and can secrete pancreatic juice, insulin, etc. It can be roughly divided into three parts: the head of the pancreas, the body of the pancreas, and the tail of the pancreas. According to the site of onset of pancreatic cancer, it can be divided into pancreatic head cancer, pancreatic body and tail cancer and whole pancreatic cancer.

1. Pancreatic head cancer: Pancreatic head cancer is the most likely site for pancreatic cancer, accounting for more than 60% to 70% of the total number of pancreatic cancer patients. It refers to malignant tumors originating from the head of the pancreas. The head of the pancreas includes the pseudopapillary and the lower end of the bile duct, so there are differences in the names such as pancreatic head cancer, papillary cancer, ampullary cancer and lower end of the bile duct cancer.

Patients with pancreatic head cancer often have progressive jaundice, weight loss, upper abdominal pain or bloating. The pain is mostly located in the upper abdomen or right side and may radiate to the shoulders and back.

2. Pancreatic body and tail cancer: There is no clear boundary between the pancreatic body and tail, so the cancer occurring in this area is called pancreatic body and tail cancer. Pancreatic cancer patients occurring here account for about 30% of the total number.

Pancreatic body and tail cancer can destroy pancreatic islet tissue and cause diabetes, and may be accompanied by peripheral venous thrombosis, causing symptoms such as splenomegaly and portal hypertension. This may be caused by the tumor cells secreting certain substances that promote blood coagulation. Pancreatic body and tail cancer can metastasize to local lymph nodes, liver, peritoneum and lungs.

3. Whole pancreatic cancer: Whole pancreatic cancer is also called extensive cancer. It can develop further from cancer of the pancreatic head, body, and tail, or it can be diffuse in the early stage of the disease. The incidence rate is about 10% of the total pancreatic cancer.