Guide To The Causes Of Pancreatitis

Pancreatic Cancer

An individual affected by pancreatic cancer may be affected by pancreatitis as a complication of their malignancy. Pancreatic cancer is commonly seen as a complication that occurs in patients affected by pancreatitis at some point in their life. However, pancreatic cancer can also cause an individual to develop pancreatitis through certain mechanisms. A malignant tumor in the pancreas can grow around the duct responsible for draining pancreatic fluid into the small intestine. The pancreas produces digestive enzymes that help with the digestion and breakdown of protein in food. To protect the pancreatic tissues and ducts, the digestive enzymes do not activate until a certain point in time after they have been produced. By the time the digestive enzymes activate, they are intended to be in the small intestine protected by a layer of mucus. However, a cancerous tumor can cause the pancreatic duct to become crimped or fully obstructed, which stops the digestive enzymes from reaching the small intestine before they become activated. These enzymes damage the tissues of the pancreas and cause inflammation or pancreatitis.