<P> Secretion of these proenzymes is via the hormones gastrin, cholecystokinin and secretin, which are secreted by cells in the stomach and duodenum in response to distension and / or food . </P> <P> About 20,000 protein coding genes are expressed in human cells and about 50% of these genes are expressed in the normal pancreas . Less than 100 of these genes are more specifically expressed in the pancreas . Similar to the salivary glands, most of the pancreas specific genes encode for secreted proteins . Corresponding pancreas specific proteins are either expressed in the exocrine cellular compartment and have functions related to digestion of food uptake such as digestive chymotrypsinogen enzymes and pancreatic lipase PNLIP, or expressed in the various cells of the endocrine pancreatic islets and have functions related to secreted hormones such as insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide . </P> <P> A perforation of the pancreas, which may lead to the secretion of digestive enzymes such as lipase and amylase into the abdominal cavity as well as subsequent pancreatic self - digestion and digestion and damage to organs within the abdomen, generally requires prompt and experienced medical intervention . </P> <P> It is possible for one to live without a pancreas, provided that the person takes insulin for proper regulation of blood glucose concentration and pancreatic enzyme supplements to aid digestion . </P>

What type of tissue is in the pancreas