Pancreatic cancer
Also called: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Cancer of the pancreas, usually ductal adenocarcinoma. It is often found late because early symptoms are vague, making it one of the deadliest cancers.
Condition-specific references are below. Individual claims and this page have not been clinically reviewed. Read about this content.
Causes
- Accumulated mutations (KRAS in over 90%)
Risk factors
- Smoking
- Age
- Obesity and diabetes
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Family history, BRCA2 and other inherited syndromes
Symptoms
- Painless jaundice (tumour in the head of the pancreas)
- Upper abdominal or back pain
- Weight loss
- New-onset diabetes over 50
- Pale stools and dark urine
Diagnosis — tests and examinations
- Pancreas-protocol CT
- Endoscopic ultrasound with biopsy
- CA 19-9 marker
- Staging for resectability
Treatment
Medicines and medical treatment
- Chemotherapy (FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine–nab-paclitaxel)
- Olaparib maintenance for germline BRCA
- Radiotherapy in selected cases
Operations and procedures
- Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy) or distal pancreatectomy for resectable tumours
- Biliary stenting for jaundice
- Coeliac plexus block for pain
Self-care, home remedies and lifestyle
- Pancreatic enzymes and nutrition support
- Early palliative care
Possible complications
- Bile duct and bowel obstruction
- Liver metastases
- Blood clots
- Cachexia
Prevention
- Not smoking, healthy weight
Outlook
Overall five-year survival about 10%; around 30% after successful surgery and chemotherapy.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor for yellowing of the skin, unexplained weight loss or persistent upper abdominal/back pain.
Sources and further reading
These sources cover this condition. They have not been checked against every statement on this page.
Related conditions
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