The exocrine and endocrine cells in the pancreas form separate types of tumors. Both can be either malignant or benign. Most cancers of the pancreas are adenocarcinomas of the exocrine cells. Adenocarcinomas are abnormal growths that affect the lining of an organ, such as the pancreas.
Adenocarcinomas represent 75 percent of all pancreatic cancers. About 95 percent of cancers of the exocrine pancreas are malignant adenocarcinomas, which usually first appear in the lining of the pancreatic ducts. About 75 percent of exocrine cancers start in the head and neck of the pancreas. Most of the rest begin in the main body of the pancreas and fewer than 10 percent start in the tail. Other less common exocrine cancers of the pancreas include adenosquamous carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas and giant cell carcinomas. Treatment for exocrine pancreatic cancer is determined by how far it has metastasized (spread) rather than its specific type.
Islet cell tumors (or neuroendocrine tumors) are tumors of the endocrine cells of the pancreas and are much less common. Insulinomas are islet cell tumors that produce insulin; most insulimomas are benign tumors. Gastrinomas are islet cell tumors that produce gastrin; most gastrinomas are malignant. Malignant islet cell tumors are known as islet cell carcinomas. Islet cell cardinomas are often slow growing and have a better prognosis than exocrine pancreatic cancer.
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