Pancreatic cancer occurs when malignant tumor cells are found in the tissue of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ located behind the stomach, in front of the spine. It is divided into three different sections: head, body and tail. The head is located at the wide end of the pancreas and the tail towards the narrow end. The pancreas is made up of two different glands. They are the exocrine and endocrine glands (Bethesda, 2013). The pancreas has two different functions. The exocrine gland secretes a pancreatic juice into the intestine. This secretion contains three different enzymes. They are pancreatic lipase, amylase and proteolytic enzymes. These enzymes are secreted by acinar cells to help break down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins that are ingested from the foods we eat. They also secrete an alkaline aqueous solution into the ducts of the pancreas. This solution is secreted by cells within the ducts (Sherwood, 2013). Types There are two different types of pancreatic tumors. They are exocrine tumors and endocrine tumors. Exocrine tumors are more common than endocrine tumors. Exocrine tumors account for 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 account for less than 5% of pancreatic tumors. They 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 n...... middle of paper ...... atic tumors. (2013). Retrieved from Pancreatic Cancer Action Network: https://www.pancan.org/section_facing_pancreatic_cancer/learn_about_pan_cancer/risk_factors/index.phpSherwood, 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/