There are two main kinds of pancreatic cancer:

• Exocrine tumors: These make up more than 90% of all pancreatic cancers. The most common type is called adenocarcinoma, and it starts in the cells that line your pancreas.
• Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs): These are less common, accounting for less than 10% of pancreatic cancers. They’re sometimes called islet cell carcinoma.

What are the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer is tricky to spot early because it doesn’t show clear signs at the start. The symptoms usually appear when the cancer begins affecting other parts of your belly.

Here are some signs you might notice:

• Your skin turns yellow (jaundice).
• Your pee becomes dark.
• Your poop gets lighter.
• Pain in your upper belly.
• Pain in the middle of your back.
• Feeling very tired.
• Itchy skin.
• Throwing up and feeling queasy.
• Having a lot of gas or feeling bloated.
• Not feeling hungry.
• Getting blood clots.
• Losing weight.
• Developing diabetes recently.
• Sometimes, people with pancreatic cancer get diabetes or pancreatitis, which is a painful condition when your pancreas is swollen.

How long does it take to know you have pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer doesn’t have early signs that give it away. Some people start feeling not quite right up to a year before they find out they have it.

A lot of people say their first signs were feeling pain in their back or belly. These feelings might come and go at first but can get worse after eating or when you lie down.

What are the causes of pancreatic cancer?

To be honest, we’re not entirely sure about the exact cause of pancreatic cancer. But experts have pinpointed some things that might make it more likely.

Pancreatic cancer risk factors Risk factors are things that can increase your chances of getting a certain disease. Some common risk factors for pancreatic cancer include:

• Smoking: Like cigarettes, cigars, or other forms of tobacco.
• Being overweight, especially if you carry extra weight around your waist.
• Diabetes, particularly Type 2 diabetes. If you suddenly get diabetes, it could be a sign of pancreatic cancer.
• Exposure to certain chemicals, like pesticides and petrochemicals.
• Having chronic pancreatitis, which is a long-lasting inflammation in your pancreas.
• Inherited chronic pancreatitis caused by gene changes (mutations) that pass from a biological parent to a child.
• Inherited syndromes that involve gene changes (mutations), such as BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes that pass from biological parents to children.

How is pancreatic cancer diagnosed?

Finding pancreatic cancer early is tough. It’s because doctors can’t touch your pancreas during regular check-ups, and these tumors don’t show up well on common tests.

If your doctor thinks you might have pancreatic cancer, they’ll recommend a few tests. These could include:

• Imaging tests: Your doctor might prescribe one or more of these imaging tests:
  •  CT scans: Provides detailed cross-sectional images of the pancreas.
  •  MRI scans: Offers additional information about the tumor and surrounding tissues.
  •  PET scans: These find abnormal cell activity in your body.
  •  Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS): A small camera on a tube goes inside your body to look closely at your abdomen and records pictures of the pancreas internally. This procedure is followed with the help of ultrasound images shown through the camera attached to the flexible tube.
• Blood tests: A blood test can look for tumor markers. These are substances that could mean cancer is around. For pancreatic cancer, they check for something called CA 19-9. If it’s high, it might mean there’s a tumor.
• Staging laparoscopy: Sometimes, doctors do this to figure out how far the cancer has spread and if they can remove it. During this, a surgeon makes small cuts in your belly and puts a camera inside to see if anything’s wrong. They might also take a tiny piece for testing.
• Genetic testing: If you’re diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, your doctor might suggest genetic testing. This can tell you if there’s a family reason you got cancer. It can also help your doctor choose the best treatment for you.

If you have specific questions about pancreatic cancer staging, talk to your healthcare provider. Understanding your pancreatic cancer diagnosis can help you make an informed decision about your treatment.

Pancreatic cancer treatment

Pancreatic cancer is often found when it’s already pretty serious. The treatments we have can’t completely get rid of the cancer cells, but they can help stop them from growing too fast and causing more harm. These treatments also try to make the patient feel better. There are different options for treatment that can help with the pain and discomfort that pancreatic cancer can bring.

• Surgery on the Pancreas: If the tumor is in the head of the pancreas, a surgeon might do a tricky operation called a Whipple procedure. They disconnect the head of the pancreas from other nearby organs and remove the tumor, then reconnect everything. If the tumor is in the body or tail of the pancreas, they might do a distal pancreatectomy, removing the left side of the pancreas. Sometimes, the spleen is removed too. In very advanced cases, a total pancreatectomy removes the whole pancreas. People who have this need insulin and enzyme replacement.
• Surgery for Tumors Near Blood Vessels: At the most advanced stages of cancer, a surgeon might remove the tumor and nearby blood vessels to stop the cancer from spreading. These surgeries are done by highly skilled surgeons but can have complications like bleeding and infection. Some people might feel nauseous often after surgery because their stomachs have trouble emptying.
• Chemotherapy: This is when patients take special drugs to kill cancer cells. The drugs can be pills or given through a vein with an IV. The exact drugs used can vary from person to person, depending on how bad the cancer is. In very advanced cases where the cancer has spread beyond the pancreas, chemotherapy is combined with radiation therapy in a treatment called chemoradiation. This is done before surgery to shrink the tumor and after to prevent the cancer from coming back.
• Radiation Therapy: Radiation is used along with chemotherapy to treat pancreatic cancer. It involves high-energy X-rays or protons directed at the cancer. This combination is usually considered when surgery can’t cure the cancer. It helps at advanced stages.
• Clinical Trials: These are like experiments where doctors try new treatments. They don’t guarantee a cure, and there can be side effects. Patients have to agree to join these trials, and they are closely watched to avoid problems. Clinical trials aren’t for everyone.

Palliative Care: This is for patients in advanced stages where other treatments aren’t working. It aims to ease pain and discomfort caused by the illness. It also helps with emotions and mental health during recovery. When combined with other treatments, it