In 2024, pancreatic cancer was ranked 13th in the United States on the list of new cancer diagnoses by type of cancer. Yet, it was the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths.
Reading these statistics may bring up several questions. Why the difference in these rankings? What causes pancreatic cancer? It’s understandable to have questions. Here’s what you need to know.
“In most cases of pancreatic cancer, the exact cause is never known,” says Dr. J. Eric Turner, a board-certified and fellowship-trained medical oncologist at Beaufort Memorial Oncology Specialists. “Still, understanding the basics about pancreatic cancer and identifying your risk factors may boost prevention or lead to earlier detection.”
Like many other types of cancer, early detection of pancreatic cancer often means increased treatment options and improved survival rates.
Understanding Your Pancreas
The pancreas is positioned behind the stomach, under the liver and above the small intestines. It is about six inches from side to side and under two inches from top to bottom. Small tunnels called “ducts” connect the pancreas to other organs.
Some cells in the pancreas make digestive juices and enzymes, a special type of protein. These travel through ducts into the small intestine. There, the juices and enzymes help break down carbohydrates, fats and proteins from the food you eat.
Other pancreatic cells make and release hormones, chemical messengers in the body. Insulin is a key hormone produced in the pancreas. This hormone controls how much glucose, or sugar, enters the blood to be used as energy throughout the body.
“If you have Type 1 diabetes, the cells in your pancreas have difficulty making the insulin your body needs,” Dr. Turner says. “If you have prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas can make a healthy amount of insulin, but other cells in the body are not as sensitive to it. Because of this, the pancreas has to make more and more. Blood sugar rises when the pancreas can’t keep up with the demand.”
Read More: Reverse Prediabetes for a Better Future
Types of Pancreatic Cancer
There are two main types of pancreatic cancer: adenocarcinoma and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), also called islet cell tumors. These cancers develop in different cells in the pancreas.
Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of pancreatic cancer. Usually, this kind begins in cells in the lining of the ducts between the pancreas and other organs. It can also start growing in the cells that make digestive juices. More than 9 in 10 cases of pancreatic cancer are adenocarcinomas.
NETs are much more rare. Less than two out of 100 cases of pancreatic cancer are NETs. This type occurs when cancer cells begin to grow in cells that make and release hormones. NETs are also classified as functioning or non-functioning. Functioning NETs release a large amount of hormones, causing symptoms. Non-functioning NETs release a smaller amount of hormones and do not cause symptoms. Nearly three in four functioning NETs develop in cells that make and release insulin.
Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms
Detecting pancreatic cancer early can be challenging because it often does not present noticeable symptoms in its initial stages.
Moreover, the few symptoms that do appear are often vague and can be attributed to various other health conditions.
Possible signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer include:
- Abdominal or back pain
- Blood clots deep inside large veins
- Enlarged gallbladder or liver that may feel like a bump under your right rib cage
- Extreme tiredness for no known reason
- Frequent urination
- Increased hunger or thirst
- Jaundice, a yellow coloring in the skin and whites of the eyes
- Nausea and vomiting
- Poor appetite
- Unexplained weakness
- Weight loss when you aren't trying to lose weight
Knowing possible symptoms and understanding your risk factors may help you and your health care provider prevent or detect pancreatic cancer earlier when it is easier to treat.
“New onset high blood sugar or a new Type 2 diabetes diagnosis may be the first sign of pancreatic cancer, especially in people aged 50 and older,” Dr. Turner says. “Still, it’s much more common to have diabetes without pancreatic cancer. It’s also essential to know that having diabetes may increase your risk for developing pancreatic cancer in the future.”
Know Your Risk Factors for Pancreatic Cancer
There is no way to fully prevent pancreatic cancer or know for sure if you will develop the condition. Many people at high risk of developing pancreatic cancer never get it. Similarly, some without any risk factors can develop pancreatic cancer. However, knowing your risk factors can help detect issues early. Some risk factors are outside of your control, while others can be changed, including:
- Being overweight
- Chronic pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas often caused by long-term, excessive alcohol use
- Exposure to certain chemicals, including those often found in dry cleaning and metal work
- Having Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
- Smoking
Risk factors outside of your control include:
- Being a Black American of African descent or having Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry
- Being aged 45 or older
- Certain acquired gene changes or inherited genetic conditions, including:
- BRCA 1 or 2 mutation
- Cystic fibrosis
- Familial adenomatous polyposis
- Lynch syndrome
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia Type 1 syndrome
- PALB2 gene mutation
- Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
- Family history of pancreatic cancer
- Hereditary pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas caused by an inherited condition
Read More: Cancer Support: How to Talk to and Support Loved Ones With Cancer
What to Do If You Have Risk Factors or Possible Signs of Pancreatic Cancer
If you have risk factors for pancreatic cancer or notice possible symptoms, make an appointment with your health care provider. During your appointment, your provider will ask you questions about your family and personal medical history. They will also perform a physical exam.
Depending on your risk factors and symptoms, your health care provider may recommend ongoing monitoring of your blood sugar levels and one or more screening methods, including:
- A biopsy, a cell or tissue sample test
- Blood tests
- Genetic testing
- Imaging tests, such as a CT scan or MRI, to look for signs of pancreatic cancer
“Your health care provider can work with you to create an individualized plan for pancreatic cancer screenings if you have an increased risk or if there are concerns during your exam,” says Dr. Turner. “Screenings can help put your mind at ease and early detection can improve treatment options if you are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.”
Talk with your doctor about how you can reduce your risk of pancreatic cancer. Don't have a provider? Find one online by visiting our provider directory.
