Pancreatic cancer

There are two main types of pancreatic cancer:

Exocrine pancreatic cancers

These develop in the exocrine cells and are the most common type of pancreatic cancer.²

Most cases are adenocarcinomas, which usually start in the cells lining the pancreatic duct.³

Endocrine pancreatic cancers

Also known as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (Pan-NETs), these are less common.²

They develop in the endocrine cells, and are generally divided into functioning and non-functioning tumours.⁴

Exocrine pancreatic cancer symptoms may include:⁵

• Unintentional weight loss or reduced appetite
• Fatigue
• Jaundice, which may include yellowing of the eyes or skin, light-coloured stools, dark urine and/or itchy skin
• Areas of uneven fatty tissue under the skin
• Pain in the back or abdomen
• A feeling of fullness, heartburn or indigestion
• Enlargement of the gallbladder or liver
• Pale or greasy stools and changes in bowel habits (such as diarrhoea, constipation or the feeling of incomplete emptying)
• Changes in blood sugar levels, including in rare cases the development of diabetes
• Nausea and vomiting
• Blood clots, often in a large vein in the leg (deep vein thrombosis) or sometimes in the lung (pulmonary embolism) 

Endocrine pancreatic cancers also cause a range of symptoms.⁴

Functioning tumours may lead to:⁵

• Reflux
• Increased urination
• High or low blood sugar levels
• Severe watery diarrhoea
• Blurry vision
• Increased thirst

Non-functioning tumours may cause:⁵

• Symptoms similar to exocrine pancreatic cancer
• Reduced liver function, jaundice, pain and/or reduced appetite

If you are concerned about any symptoms or have questions about pancreatic cancer, speak with your GP or specialist.

There are several known factors that may increase the likelihood of developing pancreatic cancer. These can include: ¹

• A personal history of chronic pancreatitis
• Older age – many cases occur in people over 60
• Certain genetic factors
• Being male, as men have a slightly higher risk than women
• Smoking
• Being overweight or obese
• A family history of pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer or colon cancer
• Changes in blood sugar levels
• Excessive alcohol intake or liver problems
• Stomach infections, such as stomach ulcers
• Exposure to specific chemicals or heavy metals found in some pesticides, dyes and industrial materials

If you have concerns about any of these risk factors, speak with your GP or specialist.

If your GP is concerned about your symptoms or risk factors, they may refer you to a specialist. Several tests may be used to help diagnose pancreatic cancer.³ These may include:

• Blood, urine, and stool tests: used to check overall health, liver and kidney function, and levels of pancreatic hormones or tumour markers
• Imaging tests: these may include CT scans, MRI scans, ultrasound tests (such as an endoscopic ultrasound), cholangiopancreatography (X-ray or MRI imaging of the pancreatic and bile ducts), somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (often used for endocrine cancers), PET scans, and angiography
• Laparoscopy: a procedure that allows the doctor to examine the pancreas and nearby organs
• Biopsy: where a tissue sample is taken and examined under a microscope

If you are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, your doctor will explain the details of your individual situation.