1. INTRODUCTION
(TITLE) 1.1. Pancreas The pancreas is a glandular organ in the digestive system located deep in the retroperitoneal cavity in the center of the abdomen (Figure 1). The pancreas is surrounded by vital organs and major blood vessels. The pancreas is a vital organ controller of blood glucose levels and plays a key role in the digestive system. Anatomically, the pancreas is approximately 15 cm long and is separated into four regions: the head, neck, body, and tail (1). The pancreas consists of two major glands. The majority of the pancreas is composed of exocrine cells that produce enzymes to aid in digestion and absorption of nutrients in the small intestine; these enzymes are secreted through pancreatic ducts into the small intestine. The second component is made out of endocrine cells. These endocrine cells release hormones such as insulin and glucagon directly into the blood stream. The pancreas can be one of the most unforgiving organs in the human body. Minor trauma could disrupt these important bodily functions and release digestive enzymes into the
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Tumors can develop in the endocrine cells as well as in the exocrine cells. Pancreatic tumors are clinically significant because some have an extremely poor prognosis and some produce serious clinical symptoms (4). The most common and lethal form of pancreatic cancer is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA). It originates in the exocrine region of the pancreas. PDA is the fourth leading cause of cancer death, ranking only behind lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer.(4) At the time of diagnosis, 85–90% of patients have inoperable or metastatic disease, which is reflected in the 5-year survival rate of only 6% for all stages combined.(5) Clinically, pancreatic cancer is characterized by its extreme aggressiveness leading to local and distant metastasis as well as a drug resistant