{"id":59148,"date":"2016-06-14T16:34:04","date_gmt":"2016-06-14T14:34:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/conditions\/pancreatic-cancer\/"},"modified":"2026-09-28T22:08:38","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T20:08:38","slug":"pancreatic-cancer","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/conditions\/pancreatic-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"Pancreatic cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\" id=\"wpb-content-root\">[vc_row el_id=&#8221;gal-en-alvleesklier&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n<h2>Pancreatic cancer<\/h2>\n<p>The pancreas is an elongated, cluster-shaped gland. The pancreas is located behind the stomach in the upper abdomen, just in front of the spine. In adults, the pancreas is approximately 12 to 15 centimeters long and about 1 to 3 centimeters thick. The pancreas is also called the pancreatic gland. The pancreas can be divided into three parts:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The head (located below the liver).<\/li>\n<li>The body (located behind the stomach). Important blood vessels are located at the transition between the head and body of the pancreas.<\/li>\n<li>The tail (located on the left side of the abdominal cavity, close to the spleen and left kidney).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Tumors can develop in all three parts of the pancreas: the head, body and tail. Cancer most commonly occurs in the head of the pancreas. <strong>Pancreatic cancer<\/strong> ranks twelfth among the most common cancers worldwide. Each year, 338,000 people worldwide develop pancreatic cancer. Worldwide, it is the seventh most common cause of death. Of every 100,000 people, 4 develop pancreatic cancer; among people over 65, this figure is 90 per 100,000.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=&#8221;bullet_blue&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n<h2>Functions of the pancreas<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]The pancreas contains two types of glands and has two important functions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The first function of the pancreas is to produce digestive enzymes, for which it contains special cells. These cells produce the enzymes needed to break down fat, proteins and starch. The pancreatic duct opens into the small intestine, close to the stomach and the outlet of the bile ducts. The glands secrete a fluid rich in enzymes. These fluids are transported through a duct to the small intestine. The duct then opens into the papilla of Vater.<\/li>\n<li>In addition, cells in the pancreas produce hormones such as insulin. The areas where insulin is produced are called the &#8216;Islets of Langerhans&#8217;. Insulin is released during eating and is absorbed directly into the blood.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The pancreas is stimulated from the stomach by hormones and secretin. Secretin is produced by the epithelial cells of the small intestine.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;59149&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;blauwkop&#8221;]\n<h2>We recommend the following tests:<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text]<div class=\"woocommerce columns-3 \">\n\t<ul class=\"products wpex-row wpex-clr match-height-grid gap-15\">\n\n<li class=\"entry has-media col wpex-woo-entry span_1_of_3 span_1_of_2_tl span_1_of_2_tp span_1_of_1_pl span_1_of_1_pp product type-product post-59362 status-publish first instock product_cat-modules-3 product_cat-digestion-2 has-post-thumbnail taxable shipping-taxable purchasable product-type-simple\">\n\t<div class=\"product-inner wpex-clr\"><div class=\"wpex-loop-product-images\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/testen\/bile-and-pancreas\/\" class=\"woocommerce-LoopProduct-link woocommerce-loop-product__link\">\n\t<div class=\"woo-entry-image-swap wpex-clr\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"woo-entry-image-main wp-post-image\" alt=\"Bile And Pancreas Laboratory Test\" src=\"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/GAL-ALVLEESKLIER.jpg\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" title=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"woo-entry-image-secondary\" src=\"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/gal-collage.jpg\" alt=\"Bile Collage\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" title=\"\"><\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-details match-height-content\"><p class=\"woocommerce-loop-product__title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/testen\/bile-and-pancreas\/\">Bile and pancreas laboratory test<\/a><\/p>\n\t<span class=\"price\"><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\"><bdi><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\" translate=\"no\" dir=\"auto\">&euro;<\/span>&nbsp;80,00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/testen\/bile-and-pancreas\/\" class=\"meer-informatie\">meer informatie<\/a><\/div><a href=\"\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/59148?add-to-cart=59362\" data-quantity=\"1\" class=\"button product_type_simple add_to_cart_button ajax_add_to_cart\" data-product_id=\"59362\" data-product_sku=\"DK009\" aria-label=\"Add to cart: &ldquo;Bile and pancreas laboratory test&rdquo;\" rel=\"nofollow\" data-success_message=\"&ldquo;Bile and pancreas laboratory test&rdquo; has been added to your cart\">+<\/a><span class=\"gtm4wp_productdata\" style=\"display:none; visibility:hidden;\" data-gtm4wp_product_data=\"{&quot;internal_id&quot;:59362,&quot;item_id&quot;:59362,&quot;item_name&quot;:&quot;Bile and pancreas laboratory test&quot;,&quot;sku&quot;:&quot;DK009&quot;,&quot;price&quot;:80,&quot;stocklevel&quot;:null,&quot;stockstatus&quot;:&quot;instock&quot;,&quot;google_business_vertical&quot;:&quot;retail&quot;,&quot;item_category&quot;:&quot;Modules&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:59362,&quot;productlink&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.darmklachten.nl\\\/en\\\/testen\\\/bile-and-pancreas\\\/&quot;,&quot;item_list_name&quot;:&quot;General Product List&quot;,&quot;index&quot;:1,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;simple&quot;,&quot;item_brand&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\"><\/span><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"entry has-media col wpex-woo-entry span_1_of_3 span_1_of_2_tl span_1_of_2_tp span_1_of_1_pl span_1_of_1_pp product type-product post-59376 status-publish instock product_cat-digestion-2 product_cat-modules-3 has-post-thumbnail taxable shipping-taxable purchasable product-type-simple\">\n\t<div class=\"product-inner wpex-clr\"><div class=\"wpex-loop-product-images\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/testen\/digestion\/\" class=\"woocommerce-LoopProduct-link woocommerce-loop-product__link\">\n\t<div class=\"woo-entry-image-swap wpex-clr\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"woo-entry-image-main wp-post-image\" alt=\"Digestion Laboratory Test\" src=\"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/vertering-doos.jpg\" width=\"2446\" height=\"2447\" title=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"woo-entry-image-secondary\" src=\"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/vertering-collage.jpg\" alt=\"Digestion Collage\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" title=\"\"><\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-details match-height-content\"><p class=\"woocommerce-loop-product__title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/testen\/digestion\/\">Digestion laboratory test<\/a><\/p>\n\t<span class=\"price\"><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\"><bdi><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\" translate=\"no\" dir=\"auto\">&euro;<\/span>&nbsp;27,00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/testen\/digestion\/\" class=\"meer-informatie\">meer informatie<\/a><\/div><a href=\"\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/59148?add-to-cart=59376\" data-quantity=\"1\" class=\"button product_type_simple add_to_cart_button ajax_add_to_cart\" data-product_id=\"59376\" data-product_sku=\"DK003\" aria-label=\"Add to cart: &ldquo;Digestion laboratory test&rdquo;\" rel=\"nofollow\" data-success_message=\"&ldquo;Digestion laboratory test&rdquo; has been added to your cart\">+<\/a><span class=\"gtm4wp_productdata\" style=\"display:none; visibility:hidden;\" data-gtm4wp_product_data=\"{&quot;internal_id&quot;:59376,&quot;item_id&quot;:59376,&quot;item_name&quot;:&quot;Digestion laboratory test&quot;,&quot;sku&quot;:&quot;DK003&quot;,&quot;price&quot;:27,&quot;stocklevel&quot;:null,&quot;stockstatus&quot;:&quot;instock&quot;,&quot;google_business_vertical&quot;:&quot;retail&quot;,&quot;item_category&quot;:&quot;Digestion&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:59376,&quot;productlink&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.darmklachten.nl\\\/en\\\/testen\\\/digestion\\\/&quot;,&quot;item_list_name&quot;:&quot;General Product List&quot;,&quot;index&quot;:2,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;simple&quot;,&quot;item_brand&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\"><\/span><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n<h2>Types of pancreatic cancer<\/h2>\n<p>Because the pancreas contains different types of cells, different tumors can occur. Each tumor can have a different course:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>In 75% of pancreatic cancer cases, the cancer is located in the head of the pancreas. This is called carcinoma of the pancreatic head. The most common form of pancreatic cancer is a tumor in or near the drainage ducts, an adenocarcinoma.<\/li>\n<li>In 15 to 20% of cases, it is located in the body; this is called pancreatic corpus carcinoma 2.<\/li>\n<li>A tumor can also be located in the papilla of Vater. A tumor in the papilla of Vater and in bile duct carcinoma is often detected earlier. This is because the tumor blocks the flow of bile to the intestines, causing jaundice.<\/li>\n<li>A tumor arising from the cells that produce enzymes, acinar cell carcinoma, is rare. This occurs in only 5% of cases.<\/li>\n<li>A Hamoudi tumor, or Gruber-Frantz tumor, is usually a benign growth.<\/li>\n<li>Neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreas. This type of cancer can occur anywhere in the body. Such a tumor is called a periampullary tumor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n<h2>Symptoms of pancreatic cancer<\/h2>\n<p>Pancreatic cancer at an early stage usually does not cause clear symptoms. As a result, the diagnosis is usually made too late and the disease is almost always fatal. Symptoms of pancreatic cancer can include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Pain felt in the lower right abdomen that radiates to the back<\/li>\n<li>Weight loss<\/li>\n<li>Yellow discoloration of the skin<\/li>\n<li>Fatty stool<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n<h2>Available tests<\/h2>\n<p>Various tests can be performed to determine whether pancreatic cancer is present:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The fat content of the stool can be examined<\/li>\n<li>A pancreatic elastase stool test can be performed<\/li>\n<li>Blood tests can be carried out<\/li>\n<li>A scan of the upper abdomen can be made<\/li>\n<li>An MRI scan can be made<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n<h2>Risk factors<\/h2>\n<p>There is a relationship between alcohol consumption and the risk of <strong>pancreatic cancer<\/strong>. Body weight also plays a role in the risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Being overweight in childhood also increases the risk. Of all people with pancreatic cancer, 80% are overweight.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n<h2>About Darmklachten.nl<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1617007411960{margin-top: 16px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;3\/4&#8243;][vc_column_text]Darmklachten.nl is an initiative of MGlab&amp;Advies, a laboratory specializing in stool testing. &#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/about-us\/\">read more<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][vc_column_text]<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-46036 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MGLAB-LOGO-TEKST-2022.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"637\" height=\"126\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MGLAB-LOGO-TEKST-2022.jpg 637w, https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MGLAB-LOGO-TEKST-2022-300x59.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MGLAB-LOGO-TEKST-2022-600x119.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 637px) 100vw, 637px\" \/>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row el_id=&#8221;gal-en-alvleesklier&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text] Pancreatic cancer The pancreas is an elongated, cluster-shaped gland. The pancreas is located behind the stomach in the upper abdomen, just in front of the spine. In adults, the pancreas is approximately 12 to 15 centimeters long and&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2429,"featured_media":0,"parent":57926,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-59148","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","entry","no-media"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/59148","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2429"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=59148"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/59148\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":59182,"href":"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/59148\/revisions\/59182"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/57926"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=59148"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}