What are the most common histologic forms of malignant tumors of the pancreas? Almost 90% of pancreatic cancers are moderately well-differentiated adenocarcinomas, derived from the pancreatic ductal epithelium. About 5% of pancreatic cancers originate from the pancreatic islet cells. Other rare types of pancreatic cancer include sarcomas, lymphomas, and cystadenocarcinomas. Define intraductal papillary-mucinous tumors of [...]

What classification system is used for chronic pancreatitis (CP)? CP is an inflammatory condition that leads to progressive and irreversible changes in the pancreas, which ultimately results in impairment of exocrine and endocrine function. This differs from acute pancreatitis, which is a nonprogressive event with pancreatic function returning to normal after the attack. The modified [...]

What are the causes of acute pancreatitis (AP)? Mechanical: gallstones, microlithiasis (biliary sludge), sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, papillary stenosis, duodenal diverticula, pancreas divisum, trauma Toxins: alcohol, drugs, scorpion venom Infectious: viral, bacterial, parasitic Metabolic: hypertriglyceridemia, hypercalcemia Ischemic: thromboembolic, vasculitis, hypotension, dehydration Genetic: cystic fibrosis, hereditary Tumors: ampullary, pancreatic, intraductal papillary mucinous tumors (IPMT) Other: idiopathic, [...]