Patrick Swayze

Patrick Swayze tumour

PATHOLOGY

A popular term for an epithelial neoplasm of the exocrine pancreas which, as a rule, is in situ–i.e., preinvasive, and responds well to surgical resection. Survival plummets if there is a component of invasive cancer, which translates to stage III or IV.

Swayze had stage IV disease when diagnosed, for which 6 month survival is the norm; to his credit, he hung on for nearly two years. 

Synonyms Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (pancreas), Patrick Swayze cancer, Patrick Swayze neoplasm