Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
08:23
In Vitro Modeling of Cancerous Neural Invasion: The Dorsal Root Ganglion Model
Published on: April 12, 2016
Nervous system involvement by pancreatic cancer
Kyung-Seok Park1, Manho Kim, Seong-Ho Park
1Department of Neurology, Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
Journal of Neuro-Oncology
|August 2, 2003
Summary
Nervous system metastasis from pancreatic cancer is rare, often appearing before the primary tumor diagnosis. Treatment options like radiation therapy showed limited impact on patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Neurology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis.
- Metastasis to the nervous system is an uncommon but serious complication of pancreatic cancer.
- Understanding the patterns and clinical implications of nervous system metastasis is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with pancreatic cancer who developed nervous system metastasis.
- To investigate the frequency and presentation of cerebral and spinal metastases in this patient cohort.
- To assess the efficacy of radiation therapy in managing neurological symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records from 1,229 consecutive pancreatic cancer patients.
- Identification of seven patients with confirmed nervous system metastasis.
- Analysis of clinical data, including metastasis timing, location, imaging findings, and treatment response.
Main Results:
- Nervous system metastasis preceded the primary pancreatic cancer diagnosis in five out of seven patients.
- Cerebral metastasis occurred in four patients, with imaging revealing ring-enhancing lesions in half.
- Spinal metastasis was observed in three patients, leading to myelopathy in two, predominantly at the thoracic level.
Conclusions:
- Nervous system metastasis can be an early indicator of pancreatic cancer.
- Cerebral and spinal metastases present with distinct radiological and clinical features.
- Current therapeutic strategies, including radiation therapy, offer limited benefit in altering the clinical course of nervous system metastasis in pancreatic cancer.
Related Concept Videos
01:37Neural Regulation
Digestion begins with a cephalic phase that prepares the digestive system to receive food. When our brain processes visual or olfactory information about food, it triggers impulses in the cranial nerves innervating the salivary glands and stomach to prepare for food.
01:24Peripheral Nervous System: Ganglia and Nerves
The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) is a crucial component of the body's neural network, extending beyond the central nervous system (CNS) to bridge the gap between the CNS and the external environment. It encompasses nerves, ganglia, and sensory receptors.
Nerves
The nerve is a bundle of axons that serves as the communication highway in the PNS. Each nerve is ensheathed in a protective layer of connective tissue called the epineurium. This outermost layer safeguards the nerve and supports the...
Nerves
The nerve is a bundle of axons that serves as the communication highway in the PNS. Each nerve is ensheathed in a protective layer of connective tissue called the epineurium. This outermost layer safeguards the nerve and supports the...
01:24Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
The pancreas, an elongated and flat gland situated behind the stomach, serves a vital function in digesting food and managing blood sugar levels.
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...
01:21Nervous System
The nervous system coordinates body functions through its complex network of nerve cells, enabling sensation and movement. It is divided into two primary parts: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS is composed of the brain and the spinal cord. The brain acts as the body's control center, processing sensory information and coordinating responses. The spinal cord functions as a major signaling pathway for the brain and the rest of the body.
Extending...
Extending...
01:19Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer
Chronic stress has been linked to both the onset and progression of serious health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes and cancer. Type 2 diabetes, a widespread chronic illness, is closely associated with obesity and insulin resistance, both of which often worsen under stress. Studies indicate that men experiencing high levels of chronic stress face a 45% higher risk of developing diabetes compared to those with minimal stress. Stress triggers physiological responses that elevate blood...
01:21Acute Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of acute pancreatitis centers on injury to pancreatic acinar cells, which initiates a cascade of harmful intracellular events.This injury leads to premature activation of trypsinogen to trypsin in the pancreas. Trypsin then activates other digestive enzymes, such as chymotrypsin, elastase, and phospholipase A2, which begin breaking down pancreatic tissue. The resulting autodigestion causes local inflammation, tissue swelling, hemorrhage, and fat necrosis.Injured acinar cells...