Pancreatic CancerSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is cancer that starts in the pancreas.
Pancreatic cancer; Cancer - pancreas
Common conditions include: Familial Pancreatic Cancer, Pancreatic Adenoma, Pancreatic Islet Cell Tumor
The pancreas is a large organ behind the stomach. It makes and releases enzymes into the intestines that help the body digest and absorb food, especially fats. The pancreas also makes and releases insulin and glucagon into the blood. These are hormones that help the body regulate blood sugar levels.
There are different types of pancreatic cancers. The type depends on the cell in which the cancer develops. Examples include:
- Adenocarcinoma, the most common type of pancreatic cancer
- The less common subtype is known as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors or PNETs which may include tumors that sometimes excrete excess hormones – these may include tumors such as glucagonoma, insulinoma, and VIPoma
The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is unknown. It is more common in people who:
- Have obesity
- Have a diet high in fat and low in fruits and vegetables
- Have diabetes
- Have long-term exposure to certain chemicals
- Have long-term inflammation of the pancreas (chronic pancreatitis)
- Smoke
- Have certain genetic syndromes such as BRCA alterations
The risk for pancreatic cancer increases with age. A family history of the disease also slightly increases the chance of developing this cancer.
A tumor (cancer) in the pancreas often grows without any symptoms at first. This means the cancer is often advanced when it is first found.
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer include:
- Diarrhea
- Dark urine and clay-colored stools
- Fatigue and weakness
- Sudden increase in blood sugar level (diabetes)
- Jaundice (a yellow color in the skin, mucous membranes, or white part of the eyes) and itching of the skin
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain or discomfort in the upper part of the belly or abdomen
Treatment for adenocarcinoma depends on the stage of the tumor.
Surgery may be done if the tumor has not spread or has spread very little. Along with surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy or both may be used before or after surgery. A small number of people can be cured with this treatment approach.
When the tumor has not spread out of the pancreas but cannot be surgically removed, chemotherapy and radiation therapy together may be recommended.
When the tumor has spread (metastasized) to other organs such as the liver, chemotherapy alone is usually used.
With advanced pancreatic cancer, the goal of treatment is to manage pain and other symptoms. For example, if the tube that carries bile (bile duct) is blocked by the tumor, a procedure to place a tiny metal tube (stent) may be done to open the blockage. This can help relieve jaundice and itching of the skin.
Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center - Nebraska Medical Center
Quan Ly is a Surgical Oncologist practicing medicine in Omaha, Nebraska. She has been practicing medicine for over 30 years. Dr. Ly is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Pancreatic Cancer. She is also highly rated in 17 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Pancreatic Cancer, Familial Pancreatic Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Splenectomy, and Pancreatectomy.
Sibley Memorial Hospital
Dr. Michael Pishvaian is the director of Gastrointestinal, Developmental Therapeutics and Clinical Research Programs for the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center in the Greater Washington Area and an associate professor at the School of Medicine. Dr. Pishvaian is a fellowship-trained gastrointestinal oncologist specializing in pancreatic and refractory colorectal cancers. He is committed to precision medicine and provides his patients with the most appropriate and advanced level of care. He conducts all phases of clinical trials for all GI cancers and enrolls qualifying patients. Click here to learn more about oncology clinical trials the Greater Washington Area. Dr. Pishvaian is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Pancreatic Cancer. He is also highly rated in 26 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Pancreatic Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Familial Pancreatic Cancer, Pancreaticoduodenectomy, and Pancreatectomy. Dr. Pishvaian is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine.
Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center In Clinical Affiliation With South Shore Health
Dr. Wolpin received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in 2001. He subsequently completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, and his fellowship in Medical Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. He joined the staff of DFCI and Brigham and Women's Hospital in 2007, where he is a medical oncologist and clinical investigator in the Center for Gastrointestinal Oncology. His research focuses on biomarkers and novel therapeutics in gastrointestinal malignancies, and mechanisms by which lifestyle factors interact with malignant risk and progression. Dr. Wolpin is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Pancreatic Cancer. He is also highly rated in 8 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Pancreatic Cancer, Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma, Colorectal Cancer, Pancreaticoduodenectomy, and Pancreatectomy. Dr. Wolpin is board certified in Medical Oncology.
You can ease the stress of illness by joining a cancer support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.
Some people with pancreatic cancer that can be surgically removed are cured. But in most people, the tumor has spread and cannot be completely removed at the time of diagnosis.
Chemotherapy and radiation are often given after surgery to increase the cure rate (this is called adjuvant therapy). For pancreatic cancer that cannot be removed completely with surgery or cancer that has spread beyond the pancreas, a cure is not possible. In this case, chemotherapy is given to improve and extend the person's life.
Contact your provider for an appointment if you have:
- Abdominal or back pain that does not go away
- Persistent loss of appetite
- Unexplained fatigue or weight loss
- Other symptoms of this disorder
Preventive measures include:
- If you smoke, now is the time to quit.
- Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Exercise regularly to stay at a healthy weight.
Summary: Pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose early. By the time people have been diagnosed, the cancer has usually spread to other parts of the body (metastatic). The standard treatment is chemotherapy, but other treatments are needed to improve outcomes in people with pancreatic cancer. The first treatment that people usually receive is chemotherapy. At the time this study started, some of the main...
Summary: The goal of this clinical trial is to test the effect of high-dose radiation therapy after initial chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The main question it aims to answer is: • For patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer that responded to initial chemotherapy (stayed stable or decreased in size), will high-dose RT (radiation therapy) contribute to improving t...
Published Date: July 09, 2025
Published By: Warren Brenner, MD, Oncologist, Lynn Cancer Institute, Boca Raton, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
De Jesus-Acosta A, Narang A, Mauro L, Herman J, Jaffee EM, Laheru DA. Carcinoma of the pancreas. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 78.
Modi B, Shires GT. Pancreatic cancer, cystic pancreatic neoplasms, and other nonendocrine pancreatic tumors. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 60.
National Cancer Institute website. Pancreatic cancer treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/pancreatic/hp/pancreatic-treatment-pdq. Updated February 12, 2025. Accessed July 18, 2025.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network website. NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology: pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Version 2.2025. www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/pancreatic.pdf. Updated February 3, 2025. Accessed July 18, 2025.