Pancreas

Pancreatic Diseases and Disorders

There are a variety of disorders of the pancreas including acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, hereditary pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer. Acute pancreatitis may be a single or a recurring event, and it usually occurs suddenly. The abdominal pain with acute pancreatitis is often severe. Chronic pancreatitis is characterized by chronic or persistent abdominal pain and may or may not present with raised pancreatic enzymes. Cancer of the pancreas is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States, killing more than 39,000 people a year. Risks include smoking, age, sex (more common in men), chronic pancreatitis, and exposure to some industrial chemicals.