- Patients
- Exploring cancer care
- Conditions we treat
- Gastrointestinal Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
What is pancreatic cancer?
Chapter 01
What is pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the pancreas grow in an uncontrolled way. Pancreatic cancer may occur in any part of the pancreas, however approximately 70% of pancreatic tumours are located within the head of the pancreas.
Types and symptoms of pancreatic cancer
There are two types of pancreatic cancer and they have different causes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnostic methods, treatments and outlooks. Pancreatic cancer types are:
- Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs): Can occur in any part of the pancreas and start in the endocrine cells responsible for releasing hormones. A minority of cases involve neuroendocrine tumours.
Exocrine pancreatic cancers: Develop in the exocrine cells and are regarded as being the most common type of pancreatic cancer, with approximately 95% of cases. Of these cases, the majority are a type of cancer called adenocarcinoma, and these usually start in the cells lining the pancreatic duct. Other types of exocrine pancreatic cancers include adenosquamous carcinoma and undifferentiated carcinoma.
Symptoms of exocrine pancreatic cancers may include:
- Jaundice, including yellowing of the eyes and skin, and possibly dark urine, light-coloured stools and itchy skin
- Pain in the abdomen or back
- Weight loss and loss of appetite
- Indigestion, heartburn or feeling full
- Pale and greasy stools and changes in bowel habits (including diarrhoea, constipation or the feeling of incomplete emptying)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Feeling tired
- Enlargement of the gallbladder or liver
- Blood clot in a large vein often in the leg (deep vein thrombosis), and sometimes in the lung (pulmonary embolism)
- Uneven texture in the fatty tissue under the skin
- Changes in blood sugar levels, including rare cases of diabetes.
It is suggested to speak with your GP or specialist if you would like to discuss any questions that you may have with regards to pancreatic cancer.
Endocrine pancreatic cancers also known as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NETs): These are less common than exocrine pancreatic cancers, with approximately 5% of pancreatic cancers being NETs. These tumours develop in the endocrine cells, and there are two types of NETs - functioning tumours and non-functioning tumours. Learn more about NETs here.
In terms of symptoms for endocrine pancreatic cancers, as some of these cancers produce hormones, there are a range of different symptoms that may occur.
Cancers that develop from functioning tumours produce hormones. Symptoms of NETs functioning tumours may include:
- Too much sugar in the blood (diabetes)
- A drop in blood sugar
- Blurred vision
- Being really thirsty
- A need to pass urine more often
- Reflux
- Severe watery diarrhoea.
Cancers that develop from non-functioning tumours don’t produce hormones. Symptoms of NETs non-functioning tumours may include:
- Symptoms may be similar to exocrine pancreatic cancer
- Reduced liver function, jaundice, pain and loss of appetite, that may be caused by the cancer spreading to the liver.
It is suggested to speak with your GP or specialist if you would like to discuss any questions that you may have with regards to pancreatic cancer.
Make an enquiry
Learn more about pancreatic cancer and the available treatment options.
Potential risk factors for pancreatic cancer
There is no clear reason for pancreatic cancer. However, some factors appear to increase the risk. These include:
- Smoking
- Being obese or overweight
- Exposure to certain chemicals and heavy metals found in pesticides, dyes and chemicals
- Increasing age – many cases occur in adults over 60
- Being male – men are more likely than women to develop pancreatic cancer
- Personal history of chronic pancreatitis
- A family history of pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, or colon cancer
- Diabetes (in particular type 2 diabetes) and long-term use of diabetes medicines
- Excessive alcohol consumption and liver cirrhosis
- Stomach infections with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which causes stomach ulcers
- Having certain genetic factors including Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, familial pancreatitis, Lynch syndrome, hereditary breast-ovarian cancer syndrome, familial malignant melanoma syndrome, Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) syndrome, von Hippel-Lindau syndrome and ataxia-telangiectasia.
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.
Diagnosis
Chapter 02
How is pancreatic cancer usually diagnosed?
If you meet with your GP and they are concerned about any of 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:
- Physical examination
- 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 the details about how far your cancer has progressed. Pancreatic cancer is commonly staged with the TNM system, which is used to show how advanced the cancer is. These letters stand for:
- Tumour: Refers to how your doctor will measure the size of the tumour and how far it has grown into the pancreas and any adjacent tissues
- Nodes: Refers to whether cancer has spread to lymph nodes
- Metastasis: Refers to whether cancer has spread to other parts of the body
Treatments options
Chapter 03
Treatment options for pancreatic cancer
Treatment options for pancreatic cancer usually depend on how advanced it is. Treatments that may be offered can include:
Chemotherapy - Chemotherapy is an approach to cancer therapy which involves the administration of medicine, usually orally or by injection, which is intended to kill cancer cells or minimise their growth and spread. Chemotherapy can be used in conjunction with other cancer treatments.
Endoscopic treatment - A gastroenterologist may use an endoscope to insert a stent (a small metal tube) into the bile or pancreatic duct to keep it open. This can prevent surrounding cancer from pressing on or blocking it.
Radiation therapy - Radiation therapy may be offered in the early stages of cancer treatment, or after it has started to spread. There are different radiation therapy techniques which may be suitable for different cancer types at different stages.
Surgery - Surgical intervention can be used in some cases to remove cancer and surrounding tissue. Your doctor will consider whether surgical intervention is appropriate for you.
Side effects
Chapter 04
Understanding more about potential treatment side effects
Side effects of cancer treatment
All cancer treatments may have side effects. The type and severity of side effects will vary between individuals. You can ask your doctor for detailed information about the side effects which you may experience with any treatment recommended for you.
Recommendations to help you stay well during treatment
- Get as much rest as possible
- Aim for a wholefood, varied diet, and we also encourage you to think about eating foods that interest you rather than what you think you should eat
- Appetite changes are common, and you may experience taste changes or nausea. Help manage this by eating small, frequent snacks and avoiding smells that make you nauseous
- Drink lots of water
- Reach out to support groups and others who have had cancer treatment
- Record your side effects in a diary or journal
- Speak to your doctor about incorporating some gentle exercise into your weekly routine
- It is important to acknowledge when you are fatigued and rest when you need to
- Ask for and accept help from family, friends and neighbours
- Be open with employers about your treatment and discuss flexible working options if you need them
Your treatment with GenesisCare
Chapter 05
Learn more about treatment options offered at GenesisCare
At GenesisCare, we understand we understand that a cancer diagnosis can be emotional and life-changing. It’s natural to feel disbelief, anxiety, sadness, anger and loneliness. We aim to offer a personalised care experience, designed to help you achieve the best possible clinical outcomes.
Our care team will know your name and get to know who you are as a person. Your care will be managed by a multidisciplinary team of passionate healthcare professionals with experience in oncology including: radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, registered nurses, radiation therapists, physicists, and a dedicated team of support staff.
Please contact your local GenesisCare centre for more details on the services available. View a list of our centres here.
Helpful services
Chapter 06
Other services you may find helpful
Other pancreatic cancer information, resources and support services are available to assist you during your cancer journey. These may include:
Cancer Council Australia
13 11 20
cancer.org.au
Australian Cancer Research Foundation
02 9223 7833
acrf.com.au
Pancare
1300 881 698
pancare.org.au
Neuroendocrine Cancer Australia
NET Nurse - 1300 287 363
neuroendocrine.org.au
References
- Epidemiology of Pancreatic Cancer: Global Trends, Etiology and Risk Factors. World J Oncol. 2019 Feb; 10(1): 10–27. Published online 2019 Feb 26. doi: 10.14740/wjon1166. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6396775/
- Cigarette Smoking and Pancreatic Cancer: A Pooled Analysis From the Pancreatic Cancer Cohort Consortium. Am J Epidemiol. 2009 Aug 15; 170(4): 403–413. Published online 2009 Jun 26. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwp134. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2733861/
- Association between Alcohol Consumption and Pancreatic Cancer Risk: A Case-Control Study. PLoS One. 2015; 10(4): e0124489. Published online 2015 Apr9. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124489. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4391718/#:~:text=A%20pooled%20analysis%20of%2014,drinks%20per%20day%20%5B19%5D.
- Family history of cancer and risk of Pancreatic Cancer: A Pooled Analysis from the Pancreatic Cancer Cohort Consortium (PanScan). Int J Cancer. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2011 Sep 1. Published in final edited form as: Int J Cancer. 2010 Sep 1; 127(6): 1421–1428. doi: 10.1002/ijc.25148. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2926939/
- Family History of Diabetes and Pancreatic Cancer as Risk Factors for Pancreatic Cancer: The PACIFIC Study. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2013 Oct; 22(10): 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-13-0518. Published online 2013 Aug 21. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-13-0518. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3808252/#:~:text=In%20conclusion%2C%20this%20population%2Dbased,diabetes%20(OR%3A%201.95).
- Occupational exposures and pancreatic cancer: a meta-analysis. https://oem.bmj.com/content/57/5/316
- Obesity and Pancreatic Cancer: Overview of Epidemiology and Potential Prevention by Weight Loss. Pancreas. 2018 Feb; 47(2): 158–162. doi:10.1097/MPA.0000000000000974. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6018023/#:~:text=Large%20epidemiological%20studies%20have%20shown%20the%20link%20between%20obesity%20and%20pancreatic%20cancer.&text=A%20large%20population%2Dbased%20case,increased%20risk%20of%20pancreatic%20cancer.
Read next

Page
Our centres
In Australia, we have more than 40 oncology centres in metro and regional Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia.

Page
Our doctors
Our experienced, specialised doctors offer bespoke, dedicated care aiming to provide the best possible clinical outcomes.

Treatment
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses high energy X-rays or other particles to treat cancer and can be used at all stages.