There are two types of pancreatic cancers:

Exocrine pancreatic cancers

• These typically develop in the exocrine cells and are regarded as being the more common type of pancreatic cancer.² 
• Of these cases, the majority are a type of cancer called adenocarcinoma, and these usually start in the cells lining the pancreatic duct.⁵

Endocrine pancreatic cancers

• Also known as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (Pan-NETs) which are less common.²
• These tumours develop in the endocrine cells, and there are typically two types of NETs; functioning tumours and non-functioning tumours.³
• Learn more about NETs here.

Symptoms of exocrine pancreatic cancers may include:⁴

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

Endocrine pancreatic cancers can also produce a range of different symptoms.³ For instance, cancers that develop from functioning tumours  may result in the following:⁴

• Reflux
• More frequent need to urinate
• Higher sugar levels in the blood (diabetes) or a drop in blood sugar
• Change in bowel movement i.e. severe watery diarrhoea.
• Vision issues such as blurriness
• More thirsty

Comparatively, cancers that develop from non-functioning tumours may be characterised by the following:⁴

• Symptoms may be similar to exocrine pancreatic cancer 
• There might be reduced liver function, jaundice, pain and/or loss of appetite.

You should speak with your GP or specialist if you would like to discuss any questions that you may have with regards to pancreatic cancer.

There are some known risk factors which may increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, including: ¹

• Personal history of chronic pancreatitis
• Increasing age – many cases occur in adults over 60
• Having certain genetic factors
• Being male – men are more likely than women to develop pancreatic cancer
• Smoking
• Being obese or overweight
• A family history of pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, or colon cancer 
• Changes to blood sugar levels
• Excessive alcohol consumption and liver issues
• Stomach infections (i.e stomach ulcers)
• Exposure to certain chemicals and heavy metals found in pesticides, dyes and chemicals

It is recommended to make an appointment with your GP or specialist to discuss any of the information about potential risk factors for pancreatic cancer.

If you meet with your GP and they express concerns around your symptoms or risk factors, they may refer you to a specialist. There are usually a range of tests performed to help diagnose pancreatic cancer. These tests may include:⁵

• Blood, urine, and stool tests: May be taken to check your general health, liver and kidney function, plus pancreatic hormones or tumour markers
• Imaging tests: These may include computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, ultrasound tests such as an endoscopic ultrasound, cholangiopancreatography (which uses X-rays or MRI of the pancreatic ducts and bile ducts), somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (used for endocrine cancers), positron emission tomography (PET) scans, and angiography
• Laparoscopy
• Biopsy: With a sample of tissue removed to be assessed under a microscope.

If you are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, your doctor should give you all the necessary details for your particular case.