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.
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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.
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