Pancreatic cancer occurs when malignant cancer cells are found in the tissues of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ located behind the stomach, in front of the spine. It is divided into three different sections: the head, the body and the tail. The head is located at the wider end of the pancreas and the tail towards the narrower end. The pancreas is made up of two different glands. These are the exocrine and endocrine glands (Bethesda, 2013). The pancreas has two different functions. The exocrine gland secretes pancreatic juice into the intestines. This secretion contains three different enzymes. These are pancreatic lipase, amylase and proteolytic enzymes. These enzymes are secreted by acinar cells to help break down ingested fats, carbohydrates, and proteins from the foods we eat. It also secretes an alkaline aqueous solution into the ducts of the pancreas. This solution is secreted by the cells inside the ducts (Sherwood, 2013).TypesThere are two different types of pancreatic tumors. These are exocrine tumors and endocrine tumors. Exocrine tumors are more common than endocrine tumors. Exocrine tumors represent 95% of pancreatic tumors. Exocrine tumors form in exocrine cells that help produce and secrete pancreatic enzymes. Most exocrine tumors are considered adenocarcinomas (Pancreatic Exocrine Tumors, 2013). Endocrine tumors represent less than 5% of pancreatic tumors. These can be benign or malignant tumors. Compared to exocrine tumors, endocrine tumors grow much more slowly. Endocrine tumors are either functional, meaning they produce hormones, or nonfunctional, meaning they cannot produce any hormones. Most functional endocrine tumors are benign while 90% of cancers are n...... middle of paper ......atic. (2013). Retrieved from Pancreatic Cancer Action Network: https://www.pancan.org/section_facing_pancreatic_cancer/learn_about_pan_cancer/risk_factors/index.php Sherwood, L. (2013). Pancreatic and biliary secretions. In L. Sherwood, Human Physiology from Cells to Systems (pp. 607-609). Yolanda Cossio.Society, PC (2013). What are the risk factors for pancreatic cancer? Retrieved from the American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org/cancer/pancreaticcancer/detailedguide/pancreatic-cancer-risk-factorsSymptom: Ascites. (2013). Retrieved from Pancreatic Cancer Action Network: https://www.pancan.org/section_facing_pancreatic_cancer/learn_about_pan_cancer/symptoms/Ascites.phpSymptoms of Pancreatic Cancer. (2013). Retrieved from Pancreatic Cancer Action Network: https://www.pancan.org/section_facing_pancreatic_cancer/learn_about_pan_cancer/symptoms/