Where is the Pancreas?

Despite its prevalence and high mortality rate, pancreatic cancer isn't as high-profile as some other cancers such as breast or prostate cancer. So when the media reports on a celebrity suffering from cancer of the pancreas -- Apple's former CEO, Steve Jobs, for example -- people start asking questions like where is the pancreas and what does it do?

The pancreas is a gland measuring about 25 centimeters long and is found high in the abdomen, in an area called the retroperitoneum, located behind the stomach and in front of the spine. Its shape has been described as being similar to a leaf or a fish; the widest end is the head, the thin end is the tail, and the part between the head and tail is the body.

What is the function of the pancreas?

Apart from asking the question "where is the pancreas?" people often wonder about its role in the body as well. Part of the digestive system, the pancreas contains the exocrine gland, which produces enzymes that are vital for the digestion and absorption of food. The endocrine gland, on the other hand, makes glucagon and insulin, two hormones that regulate blood sugar. Glucagon increases the amount of sugar in the blood while insuline reduces it. If the body fails to produce sufficient amounts of insulin, diabetes develops.

Pancreas diseases

There are a number of diseases or ailments that can strike the pancreas. The pancreas is the 10th most common location for cancers to originate in, and pancreatic cancer is described as one of the deadliest forms of cancer. It's rated as the number 4 cause of death from cancer among both women and men.¹ Pancreatic cancer has a high mortality rate since symptoms generally appear only when the disease is already in its advanced stages, making it very difficult to treat it effectively.

Pancreatitis, another disorder, occurs when the pancreas is inflamed, resulting in damage to pancreatic tissue by the digestive juices produced by the pancreas. There are two types of pancreatitis, acute and severe, and both are characterized by intense pain. Figures from the U.S. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse state that about 210,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized with acute pancreatitis.² But with proper treatment and in the absence of complications, this illness generally resolves itself within several days.

Chronic pancreatitis, on the other hand, worsens over time and results in permanent damage of the pancreas. In addition to crafting meal plans for a healthier diet and food that is easier to digest, patients are prescribed with synthetic pancreatic enzymes if their pancreas is not producing enough of its own to digest food effectively. Patients are also strongly discouraged from drinking alcohol since long-term, heavy alcohol consumption is the most common cause of this illness.

Asking the question "where is the pancreas?" is a good start to learning about not only its location, but also its important role in the body. Just as importantly, knowing more about it can possibly help a person find out earlier if there's something wrong with his or her pancreas and seek medical help.

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Sources:

1. Diseases & Conditions - Medscape Reference:
   Pancreatic Cancer
2. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases : Pancreatitis

General info:

• Cancer Help UK: The Pancreas
• The National Pancreas Foundation: Common Disorder of the Pancreas