The Human Pancreas

The pancreas is a gland behind the lower part of the stomach that is about one inch in diameter and six-to-eight inches long. It's grayish pink in color and is sometimes called the "hidden organ" because it is located deep in the abdomen behind the stomach.
It has been described as being shaped somewhat like a hand.

Pancreas Functions

The pancreas performs several functions in the body. It secretes enzymes into the small intestine through a tube called the pancreatic duct. These enzymes (primarily insulin and glucagon) that help break down and digest food, including proteins, carbohydrates and fats. The pancreas plays an important role in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and turning glucose into energy.
The pancreas can be transplanted from a donor into a patient with diabetes, and is frequently done for diabetes patients who are suffering from kidney failure. The new pancreas gives the patient an opportunity to become independent of insulin injections. Pancreas damage is a serious matter because the pancreas is a storage repository for digestive enzymes. Any puncture of the pancreas or injury to it necessitates quick medical attention.

Pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose in the early stages because there are few symptoms. Eventually, a person with pancreatic cancer will begin to experience pain in the upper abdomen which often radiates to the back. This pain is often intermittent and more intense after a meal. There could also be:
•   loss of appetite,
•   a significant loss of weight
•   diarrhea
•   jaundice
•   unexplained clinical depression

These symptoms, unfortunately, can also have many other causes, and so pancreatic cancer isn't often diagnosed until it has reached an  advanced stage. By then, the prognosis is generally poor. Few patients survive for five years and complete remission is extremely rare.

Reprinted from:
www.healthinfoarticles.com