What is pancreatic cancer?
The pancreas is an organ found in the upper abdomen. It plays an important role in the digestive system, helping turn food into energy and producing insulin to keep blood sugar levels stable.
Causes of pancreatic cancer
The causes of pancreatic cancer are not yet fully understood. However, risk factors include:
- Being very overweight
- Eating processed meat
- High alcohol consumption (leading to chronic pancreatitis)
- Certain inherited diseases including Lynch or Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
- Certain previous conditions including chronic pancreatitis, stomach ulcers, Helicobacter pylori infection and diabetes
- Having two or more relatives who have previously had pancreatic cancer
- Smoking – 1 in 3 cases are linked to cigarettes, cigars or chewing tobacco
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer don’t usually appear until quite late. This can make it difficult to diagnose. The earliest symptoms may include:
Back pain
Yellowing of the skin/eyes (jaundice)
Stomach pain
Unexplained weight loss
Extreme tiredness
Other symptoms may include:
Blood clots
Change in regular bowel movements (constipation or diarrhoea)
Feeling and/or being sick
High temperature and fever
Indigestion
Having one or more of these symptoms doesn’t mean you have cancer but it’s best to ask your doctor for advice. The sooner your cancer is detected, the better the chances of treating it successfully.
Tests and diagnosis
After discussing your symptoms, your doctor will carry out a physical examination. They may suggest some of the following tests:
- Blood tests, including tumour markers (ca19-9)
- ERCP
- MRCP
- Scans including MRI, CT, ultrasound and endoscopic ultrasound
- Laparoscopy
Treatments we offer
Treatments for pancreatic cancer depend on the stage of the cancer. They may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and palliative care.
Radiotherapy kills cancer cells. It’s used in the early stages of cancer treatment or after it has started to spread. It can also be used to relieve pain and discomfort from cancer that has spread.
Chemotherapy is medication that treats your cancer. The drugs kill cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and spreading further.
Radiotherapy kills cancer cells. It’s used in the early stages of cancer treatment or after it has started to spread. It can also be used to relieve pain and discomfort from cancer that has spread.
Chemotherapy is medication that treats your cancer. The drugs kill cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and spreading further.
Meet our doctors
Everything we do is focused on designing better care for our patients. With a network of 12 specialist oncology treatment centres across the UK, we provide the most up-to-date treatments and technology as standard.
We attract and retain some of the most experienced doctors in the country, who all have a passion for improving patient outcomes and specialise in the treatment of different types of cancer.
Search for a centre near you
17 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, ME19 4UA
The Park Centre for oncology, Sherwood Lodge Drive, Burntstump Country Park, Nottingham, NG5 8RX
BMI St Martha Oncology Centre, 46 Harvey Road, Guildford, GU1 3LX
Spire Hospital, Chalybeate Close, Southampton, SO16 6UY
Springfield Cancer Centre, Lawn Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 7GU
Unit 710, Centennial Park, Centennial Avenue, Elstree, Borehamwood, WD6 3SZ
Sunrise Parkway, Linford Wood East, Milton Keynes, MK14 6LS