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The incidence of pancreatic carcinoma is increasing tremendously. Increasing evidence suggests that it may result from exposure to chemical carcinogens. Lowest socioeconomic classes and people in urban regions develop more. Individuals of either male or female who smoke one to two packs of cigarette per day have a two to three folds increased risk of developing this cancer. Cigarette smoke contains a large number of carcinogens in both the vapor and particulate phases, including nitrosamines. Carcinogens metabolized by the liver and secreted into bile account for cancer in the head of this organ. Occupational groups particularly chemists, coke and gas plant employers, and workers in metal industries and those long exposed to β-napthylamine, urea, and benzidine are specially implicated. Coffee drinking especially decaffeinated coffee shows an increased risk. Diets rich in fat and protein induce chronic hyperplasia of the pancreas with increased tumor of cells. Food additives are notorious other possible predisposing factors are chronic pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus and chronic alcohol abuse.

This predominant symptoms of pancreatic cancer result from the direct extension of the tumor into the nerves of the retroperitoneal space, obstruction of the common bile duct, direct invasion of the duodenum as well as other visceral organs and metabolic spread to liver and lungs. These are manifested by pain (abdominal and low back pain), anorexia, nausea, weight loss, epigastric bloating, other generalized symptoms include fever, skin lesions (usually on the legs), and emotional disturbance such as depression, anxiety and premonition of the fatal illness.

Many of the early symptoms of pancreatic cancer are vague and non specific and may not arouse suspicion in the patients or physician until tumor has invaded outside the organ. Definitive diagnosis requires a laparotomy with a biopsy, other tests include: x-rays (retroperitoneal insufflations, cholanagiography, radionuclide, scintillography, and barium wallow), ultrasound, CT or MRI, angiography endoscopic retrograde cannulization of the pancreas or endoscopic pancretography and secretion test (absence of pancreatic enzyme).