PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

Which location is most common for pancreatic carcinoma?

1. Body of the pancreas

2. Tail of the pancreas

3. Head of the pancreas

4. Diffuse throughout the pancreas

The correct answer is: Head of the pancreas

The head of the pancreas is the most common location for pancreatic carcinoma. This is significant as the head of the pancreas is anatomically situated near the duodenum and the bile duct, making it a more frequent site for tumor development. When tumors arise in this area, they can cause biliary obstruction due to their proximity to the common bile duct, leading to symptoms such as jaundice. Additionally, the higher incidence of tumors in the head as opposed to the body or tail may relate to the differences in blood supply and histological features within the pancreas. The histological architecture and the types of pancreatic cells that predominantly exist in the head might predispose this region to the development of malignant lesions more frequently compared to the other sections. In contrast, while pancreatic cancer can occur in the body and tail, these areas are less commonly affected. The diffuse form denotes a situation where the cancer cells are spread throughout the pancreas rather than localized, which also occurs but is not the typical presentation for pancreatic carcinoma. Therefore, recognizing the head as the primary site for pancreatic cancers is important for diagnosis, treatment planning, and understanding the associated clinical manifestations.