Pancreatic Cancer: The Basics to Know

After a diagnosis, you may be asking: What is pancreatic cancer? It starts when cells in the pancreas grow out of control. It makes up a small share of all cancers. But it is one of the most serious. Knowing the basics can help you talk with your care team.^1-3

What does the pancreas do?

The pancreas is a gland about 6 inches long, shaped like a thin pear. It sits between your stomach and your spine. It has 3 parts: the head, the body, and the tail.^1,2

The pancreas has 2 main jobs. Exocrine cells make juices that help you digest food. Endocrine cells make hormones, like insulin, that help control blood sugar. About 95 percent of pancreatic cancers start in the exocrine cells.^1,2

How common is pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer makes up about 3 percent of all cancers in the United States. But it causes about 8 percent of all cancer deaths.³

Over a lifetime, about 1 in 56 men and 1 in 60 women will get it. About two-thirds are 65 or older when diagnosed. The average age at diagnosis is 70.^3,4

Who is at higher risk?

Some things raise the chance of getting pancreatic cancer. These risk factors include:^2,4

• Smoking – People who smoke are about twice as likely to get it.
• Excess body weight – A body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher raises risk by about 20 percent.
• Diabetes – Pancreatic cancer is more common in people with diabetes, especially type 2.
• Chronic pancreatitis – This is long-term swelling of the pancreas.
• Inherited genes – About 10 percent of cases are linked to gene changes passed down in families.
• Age – Almost all people with pancreatic cancer are older than 45.

Signs and symptoms to know

Early pancreatic cancer may not cause any signs or symptoms. As the cancer grows, it may cause:^2,5

• Yellow skin and eyes – This is called jaundice. You may also have dark urine, light or greasy stools, or itchy skin.
• Belly or back pain – The cancer can press on nearby organs or nerves.
• Weight loss and poor appetite – Losing weight without trying is very common.
• Nausea and vomiting – The cancer can partly block the stomach.
• Tiredness – You may feel weak or low on energy.
• Blood clots – A clot in a leg vein can cause pain, swelling, and warmth.
• Diabetes – The cancer can destroy the cells that make insulin.

Why is it often found late?

Pancreatic cancer is hard to find early. It often causes no early symptoms. Its signs are like those of many other illnesses. And the pancreas is hidden behind other organs, like the stomach and liver.²

Only about 15 percent of people are diagnosed before it spreads. About half are diagnosed after it reaches distant parts of the body.⁶

How doctors diagnose pancreatic cancer

Your doctor will ask about your health and do a physical exam. Then you may have tests such as:²

• Blood tests – Some look for tumor markers, like CA 19-9.
• Imaging scans – CT, MRI, PET, and ultrasound scans make pictures of the inside of your body.
• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) – A thin tube goes in through the mouth. Sound waves make pictures of the pancreas.
• Biopsy – A doctor removes cells or tissue. A specialist checks them under a microscope for cancer.

Stages and outlook

Stages describe how far the cancer has spread. They range from 0 to IV. In stage 0, abnormal cells are only in the lining of the pancreas. In stage IV, the cancer has spread to distant organs, like the liver or lungs.²

Doctors also group pancreatic cancer by whether surgery can remove it. “Resectable” cancer can be removed with surgery. “Locally advanced” and “metastatic” cancer cannot be fully removed.²

About 13 percent of people with pancreatic cancer are alive 5 years after diagnosis. That rises to about 44 percent when the cancer is found before it spreads.⁷

These numbers come from people treated at least 5 years ago. Your age, health, and response to treatment also affect your outlook. It’s important to keep in mind that people who are diagnosed now may have a better outlook than historical survival rates show.⁷

How pancreatic cancer is treated

Treatment depends on the stage and your overall health. Options include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, chemoradiation, and targeted therapy. Palliative care helps control symptoms and improve quality of life. For some people, a clinical trial may be an option.²

Talk to your doctor

If you notice symptoms that worry you, talk to your doctor. Many of these signs are like those of other health problems. If you have been diagnosed, ask about your stage, your type of cancer, and your options.²

You are not alone. Many people with pancreatic cancer and their loved ones share their stories in our community.