1. The Pancreas produces insulin. Bile ducts passing from the liver travel through the head of the Pancreas. The pancreas is made of a collection of hormone producing cells called lobules. Lobules are composed of acinar cells that are exocrine producing cells hat produce the digestive enzymes and fluids released into the small intestine.

2. Cancer research of the pancreas is the lowest of all major cancers holding at $1,145 per patient. Only 3% of the National Cancer Institutes research budget is spent on pancreatic cancer

3. The k-Ras mutation of genes in the pancreas is associated with 95% of the adenocarcinomas of the pancreas. Gene therapies attaching to the k-Ras mutation may help the immune system destroy the cancer. Pancreatic cancer also has inactivation of the p53 gene, a tumor suppressor gene.

4. The Breast cancer gene BRCA2 is strongly related to the development of pancreatic cancer.

5. Smoking is strong associated with the early onset of pancreatic cancer. The Pallidin gene can cause mutations leading to pancreatic cancer.

6. Pancreatic cancer is common among African Americans

7. Being overweight, eating large amounts of red meats, and alcohol increase the risks of Pancreatic cancer.

8. The computed tomography (CT) scan is the most common diagnostic tool for pancreatic cancer. The endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) uses a dye injected into the pancreatic ducts to search for tissue abnormalities. The endoscopic ultrasound uses sound to produce images of the pancreatic ducts.

9. Pancreatic cancer symptoms may include: bile reduction causing food not to digest, jaundice and elevated liver enzymes, pale stools and dark urine, pain in the abdomen or back and weight loss, and diabetes.

10. Cancer at the head of the pancreas can be removed by a process called pacreatoduodenectomy. The head of the pancreas is removed, most of the duodenum, a portion of the bile duct and sometimes portion of the stomach.

11. Gemacitabine is the most effective chemotherapy drug for pancreatic cancer. Fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy is also used with metastatic pancreatic cancer.

12. 3D conformal radiation using CT create digital model of the tumor that can be treated very specifically. X-ray technicians can shape multiple radiation beact to the exact contour of the treatment area and minimize damage to health tissue.

13. In 2007, scientist discovered pancreatic cancer stem cells. They are studying the stem cells for strengths and weaknesses looking for an Achilles heel.

14. The cancer recurrence gene NAC-1 is being studied for properties of tumor suppression.

15. John Hopkins has identified a tumor suppressor gene DCP4 which is missing or inactivated in more than half the patients with pancreatic cancer.

16. Capsaicin cause pancreatic cancer cells growth to slow and tumors to shrink through a process called apoptosis; the bodies way to disposing of damaged or unneeded cells.