On the role of the islets of Langerhans in pancreatic cancer

摘要: Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease characterized by dismal prognosis with most patients dying within six months after diagnosis. Surgery an option in less than one five of these patients, and even tumor resection the majority succumb to disease. Other effective treatment options are not available. Common features pancreatic severe cachexia, marked insulin resistance diabetes mellitus. Several studies have demonstrated connections between cancers endocrine pancreas this has raised questions regarding role islets Langerhans adenocarcinoma. This manuscript reviews recent literature field addresses several interaction cancer. review considers histological findings cancer, cell culture animal experiments, four islet types hormones they secrete, as well influence arachidonic acid pathways on function While adenocarcinomas ductal nature, origin been identified there some evidence that may harbor precursor cell. Considerable suggests caused tumor, while other risk factor. Clearly, important many aspects However, though progress made, remain unanswered.