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Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer occurs when abnormal cells develop in the pancreas.

Quick facts about pancreatic cancerQuick facts about pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the 10th most common cancer with over 10,000 people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the UK every year .

Types of pancreatic cancerTypes of pancreatic cancer

There are two types of pancreatic cancers:

Exocrine tumours

These are cancerous tumours that form in the pancreas’s exocrine cells, which make the pancreatic enzymes needed to break down and digest food. Exocrine tumours contribute to 95% of all pancreatic cancers.

Adenocarcinoma – The most common type of exocrine tumour, this type of pancreatic cancer starts in the pancreas’ duct lining. Adenocarcinoma can also begin in the cells that make pancreatic enzymes.

Cancer patient receiving advice on radiation treatment.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NETs)

These cancerous cells emerge from the pancreas’ endocrine cells. Endocrine cells are responsible for releasing hormones like insulin and glucagon into the blood stream to regulate blood sugar, stomach acid and food absorption. NETs can be functional (produce hormones) or non-functional (not produce hormones), with most being non-functioning.

Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancerSigns and symptoms of pancreatic cancer

Early-stage pancreatic cancer is unlikely to cause any signs or symptoms. This often means pancreatic cancer is diagnosed after it has spread to other parts of the body. Discussing anything concerning with your doctor as soon as possible can help give you peace of mind and offer the best chance of successful treatment if you receive a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

Symptoms may include:

Jaundice – yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine, pale bowel motions and itchy skin
Unexplained weight loss
Recent onset diabetes, high amounts of sugar in the blood or reduced blood sugar
Appetite loss
Nausea or vomiting
Pain in the back, abdomen or side
Changes in stool, such as diarrhoea or paler stools
Reflux
Unexplained fatigue

Stages of pancreatic cancerStages of pancreatic cancer

The TNM system is used to stage pancreatic cancer, and it helps doctors understand what your cancer looks like.

The TNM stands for:

Tumour – the size of the tumour
Node – if the cancer has involved any lymph nodes
Metastasis – whether the cancer has metastasised (spread) to other areas of the body.

The TNM information, along with other tests, helps determine the stage of your pancreatic cancer using the guidelines below:

Stage I

The cancer is in its earliest stage and is contained within the pancreas. The tumour is 4 cm or less in size.

Stage II

The cancer may be bigger than 4 cm in size and has spread into the duodenum, common bile duct and/or no more than three nearby lymph nodes.

Stage III

The cancer has spread outside of the pancreas into nearby blood vessels, organs and/or four or more lymph nodes.

Stage IV

The cancer has spread to distant organs and can be of any size.

Treatment for pancreatic cancer

There are many different types of treatment for pancreatic cancer. Your treatment will depend on you and your cancer.

Learn more

Frequently asked questions about pancreatic cancerFAQs

Is pancreatic cancer hereditary?

Although there is a link between genetics and pancreatic cancer, a majority of people who develop pancreatic cancer do not have a family history of the disease. Genetic risks are associated with gene changes, causing 10% of pancreatic cancers.

These include mutations or defects in the:

BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes
PALB2 gene
p16/CDKN2A gene (familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome)
PRSS1 gene (familial pancreatitis)
MLH1 or MSH2 genes (hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC))
STK11 gene (peutz-Jeghers syndrome)

What causes pancreatic cancer?

There’s no one cause of pancreatic cancer, however genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors can all increase your risk.

Risk factors include:

Age – Most people who have pancreatic cancer are aged 60 or older
Certain life-style related factors – Including obesity, drinking excessive alcohol, smoking and exposure to pesticides, dyes or chemicals
Family history – A history of pancreatic cancer or inherited gene changes
Pre-existing medical conditions – Such as pancreatitis and diabetes.

What can I do to decrease my risk of developing pancreatic cancer?

There are multiple lifestyle factors that may reduce your risk of developing pancreatic cancer, including:

Get regular exercise – at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each day
Reduce your alcohol intake – If you choose to drink, try to limit your alcohol intake to no more than two standard drinks a day
Eat a healthy, balanced diet – Eat a fibre-rich diet from grain and legume sources, as well as enjoy a variety of fruit (2 serves) and vegetables (5 serves) per day, limit your intake of salt, saturated fats, and avoid all processed meat
Stop smoking – Smoking is one of the most preventable causes of cancer.

How common is pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer is the UK’s tenth most diagnosed cancer.

Where can I find out more about pancreatic cancer screening?

There is currently no national screening program for pancreatic cancer in the UK, meaning there is no routine testing for the general population to detect pancreatic cancer early, as the available tests are not considered reliable enough for widespread use. However, people with a high risk of developing pancreatic cancer may be able to access monitoring tests through their doctor based on family history or genetic predisposition.

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