- 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.1 Pancreatic cancer may occur in any part of the pancreas - however the majority of pancreatic tumours tend to occur within the head of the pancreas.1
Types and symptoms of pancreatic cancer
There are two types of pancreatic cancers; pancreatic adenocarcinoma, which is the most common versus pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (Pan-NET) which are less common.2
Endocrine pancreatic cancers also known as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NETs)
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.
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.
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
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)
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.
Make an enquiry
Learn more about pancreatic cancer and the available treatment options.
Potential risk factors for 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.
Diagnosis
Chapter 02
How is pancreatic cancer usually diagnosed?
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.
Treatments options
Chapter 03
Treatment options for pancreatic cancer
Treatment options for pancreatic cancer usually depend on how advanced it is, and can include the following:1,5
- Chemotherapy
- Endoscopic treatment
- Radiation therapy
- Surgery
Side effects
Chapter 04
Potential side effects
Side effects of cancer treatment
Cancer treatments can cause side effects.6,7 The type and severity of side effects will vary between individuals.6,7 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
Whilst there are some things you can try which might help minimise/cope with any treatment side effects, you should also speak with your treatment team for further guidance:
- Rest:8
- getting as much rest as possible
- it is important to acknowledge when you are fatigued and rest when you need to
- Diet & eating:9
- 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 adequate water
- Support:9
- ask for and accept help from family, friends and neighbours
- reach out to support groups and others who have had cancer treatment
- be open with employers about your treatment and discuss flexible working options if you need them
- Journal:
- record your side effects in a diary or journal
- Exercise:10
- speak to your doctor about incorporating some gentle exercise into your weekly routine
Your treatment with GenesisCare
Chapter 05
Learn more about patient care at GenesisCare
At GenesisCare, we understand that a cancer diagnosis can be emotional and life-changing - some things you might feel are fear, anxiety, stress and/or a low mood.11,12
We aim to offer a personalised care experience, as 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 who have special clinical interests i.e.:
- radiation oncologists
- medical oncologists
- registered nurses
- radiation therapists
- physicists
- 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 helpful services
Other pancreatic cancer information, resources and support services are available to assist you during your cancer journey.
These may include:
Cancer Council Australia
Cancer Council is Australia’s leading cancer charity, supporting families, advocating for the community, empowering cancer prevention, and advancing detection and treatment methods across all cancer types.
Australian Cancer Research Foundation
The Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) funds cutting-edge cancer research by providing scientists with advanced technology and infrastructure to improve cancer prevention, detection, and treatment.
Pancare Foundation
Pancare Foundation are a leading charity committed to inspiring hope, raising awareness, supporting families and funding research for upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.
NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia
An Australian non-profit medical charity dedicated to neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). Their mission is to support patients and carers, raise awareness of NETs in both the medical community and public, and promote Australian research on neuroendocrine cancers.
- Puckett Y & Garfield K. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): Pancreatic Cancer. Page last updated Sept. 2022 (cited Oct. 2023). Access from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30085538/
- Rawla, P. et al World J Oncol. 2019; 10(1): 10–27.
- Bevere, M et al. Biomedicines. 2023;11(2):303.
- Cancer Council Australia [website]. What are the symptoms of pancreatic cancer? Updated Oct. 2023 [cited Dec. 2023]. Access: https://www.cancer.org.au
- Cancer Council Australia [website]. What is pancreatic cancer? Updated Sept. 2023 [cited Dec. 2023]. Access: https://www.cancer.org.au
- National Cancer Institute. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Side Effects of Cancer Treatment [webpage}. [Cited Oct. 2023]. Access from: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects
- Australian Government. Cancer Australia. Treatment side effects [website]. Page last updated; 2023 [cited Oct. 2023]. Access from: https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au
- Cancer Council Australia [website]. Understanding fatigue and cancer. Updated 2023 [cited Dec. 2023]. Access: https://www.cancer.org.au
- Cancer Council Australia [website]. Nutrition for People Living with Cancer. Updated 2023 [cited Dec. 2023]. Access: https://www.cancer.org.au
- Cancer Council Australia [website]. Treatment side effects. Updated 2023 [cited Dec. 2023]. Access: https://www.cancer.org.au
- Cancer Council Australia [website]. Common reactions. Updated 2023 [cited Dec. 2023]. Access: https://www.cancer.org.au
- Van linde, ME. Et al. Psychooncology. 2020 Apr;29(4):775-80.
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Disclaimer:
This website is provided for information purposes only. Nothing on this website is intended to be used as medical advice, or to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. It should not be used as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. Any medical procedure or treatment carries risks. Before proceeding with treatment, you should discuss the risks and benefits of the treatment with an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Individual treatment outcomes and experiences will vary.