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Gastrointestinal Malignancy Quiz
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Which histological type accounts for the vast majority of pancreatic cancers?
- A Primary pancreatic lymphoma You picked ✕
- B Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma You picked ✓
- C Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour You picked ✕
- D Acinar cell carcinoma You picked ✕
- E Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm You picked ✕
Correct!
Incorrect
The answer is B: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Explanation
Why B is correct
See Pancreatic Cancer. Option B is correct because pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a tumour of the lining cells of the pancreatic ducts, the tubes that carry digestive juice to the bowel, and it makes up the vast majority of pancreatic cancers. It is the most common and deadly form of pancreatic cancer, and when doctors say 'pancreatic cancer' they usually mean this tumour. An adenocarcinoma is a cancer that arises from gland-forming lining cells, and the pancreatic ducts are lined by exactly this kind of cell. It typically presents late, with epigastric pain that radiates to the back, jaundice or weight loss, which is why the outlook is poor. Risk factors include smoking, recurrent or chronic pancreatitis, a family history and male sex.
- Commonest type: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma makes up the vast majority of pancreatic cancers.
- Origin: It arises from the gland-forming lining cells of the pancreatic ducts.
- Presentation: It presents late, with epigastric pain radiating to the back, jaundice or weight loss.
Why the other options are incorrect
- A. Primary pancreatic lymphoma: Primary pancreatic lymphoma is very rare and arises from lymphoid tissue rather than from the epithelium that forms most pancreatic cancers. It would be correct for a question about a lymphoid malignancy in the pancreas. Your answer
- C. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours arise from the hormone-producing endocrine cells and are much less common. They often behave differently and may release hormones. They would be correct for a question about tumours that cause hormone excess. Your answer
- D. Acinar cell carcinoma: Acinar cell carcinoma comes from the enzyme-secreting acinar cells and is a rare pancreatic cancer. It would be correct for a question about a rare exocrine tumour that is not ductal. Your answer
- E. Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm: Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm is an uncommon tumour that mainly affects younger women and has low malignant potential. It would be correct for a question about a pancreatic mass in a young woman. Your answer
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More questions from this set. Start the quiz to answer them and see each explanation.
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1
Which of the following is a recognised risk factor for the development of gastric adenocarcinoma?
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2
Which feature best explains why the liver is a common site for metastases from gastrointestinal malignancies?
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