American Board of Pathology (ABPath) Practice Test

Question: 1 / 400

What is the most common location for an adenocarcinoma of the pancreas?

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Head

Adenocarcinoma of the pancreas most commonly occurs in the head of the pancreas. This is significant because tumors in this location can often obstruct the bile duct, leading to jaundice, which is a common presenting symptom. The anatomy of the pancreas influences the patterns of how and where different types of cancer develop, and the head is anatomically positioned in such a way that it is exposed to various risk factors and has a larger volume of pancreatic tissue that can undergo malignant transformation.

Understanding this commonality is crucial, as it plays a role in both diagnosis and treatment strategies. For example, when considering surgical approaches like the Whipple procedure, which is performed for tumors located in the head, recognizing the prevalence of adenocarcinoma in this region highlights the clinical significance of early detection and intervention in patients presenting with relevant symptoms.

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