How are IPMNs helping pancreatic cancer research?

John A. Chabot on behalf of Columbia University Department of Surgery

Endocrinology Diabetes & Metabolism

Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms (IPMNs) have very distinct features and behave unlike most pancreatic tumors. Because of this, researchers are focusing on IPMNs and their genetic makeup in the hope of better understanding how pancreatic tumors form. This research could lead to new ways of diagnosing and treating the more common forms of pancreatic cancer.

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Pancreatic Cancer

Often asymptomatic in the beginning, pancreatic cancer is very difficult to diagnose and typically spreads rapidly to other parts of the body. Cancer occurs when abnormal cells form in the lining of the pancreas, an organ of the endocrine system that is responsible for making enzymes for digestion and for producing certain hormones such as insulin. Even though only 1 in 76 people develop this disease, it is the fourth deadliest type of cancer and is difficult to cure. No one knows what causes pancreatic cancer, and even the few known risk factors are not fully understood. Visit your doctor if you have unexplained weight loss, a loss of appetite, abdominal pain that radiates up your back, or a yellow tint to your eyes or skin.

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