The pancreas is a gland of the digestive system. It is joined to the small bowel by a duct. Pancreatic cancer starts in the cells lining this duct. It then spreads into the body of the pancreas, before invading nearby nerves and blood vessels. If left untreated, it will spread to all the organs in the abdomen. Pancreatic cancer may also enter the lymphatic system and spread to other parts of the body.
The causes of pancreatic cancer are unknown, but smokers are at greater risk. It is more common in people over 65 and relatively uncommon in people under 50 years of age. About 720 Victorians develop pancreatic cancer each year.
Role of the pancreas
The pancreas has two major roles in the digestive system being that:
- It produces enzymes to help break down food.
- It produces insulin, which controls the amount of sugar in the blood. Problems with insulin production can lead to diabetes.
Risks and causes of pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer is caused by damage to genes, but it is not known exactly why this damage happens. The risk of pancreatic cancer is greater for smokers.
Other risk factors include:
- age – more common in people over the age of 65 years
- genes – inheriting a damaged gene
- diabetes – between 10 and 20 per cent of people with pancreatic cancer also have diabetes
- inflammation – chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- gastrectomy – having had surgery to remove all or part of your stomach.
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer symptoms are often vague and can appear similar to those caused by other, less serious conditions. This means that pancreatic cancer is often not diagnosed until it is quite advanced.
Some of the common symptoms may include:
- persistent pain in the abdomen
- loss of appetite
- feeling sick (nausea)
- weight loss
- change in your bowel habits (diarrhoea or constipation)
- severe back pain, in some cases.
If your bile duct is blocked, you may also have:
- yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) and itchy skin
- dark urine
- pale faeces (bowel motions or poo).
Remember that pancreatic cancer is rare. If you have one of these symptoms, it is likely to be due to something else. However, see your doctor if you have any symptom that persists for more than two weeks.
Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer
If pancreatic cancer is suspected, your doctor will refer you for tests. These may include:
- Blood tests – these check how well your liver and kidney are working and measure for a protein known as CA19.9. Pancreatic cancer often sends CA19.9 into the blood. It is not used to diagnose pancreatic cancer, but it gives your doctor important information.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan – a special x-ray is taken from many different angles to build a three-dimensional picture of your body. A dye may be injected to further highlight internal organs.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – this is similar to a CT scan, but uses magnetism instead of x-rays to build three-dimensional pictures of your body.
- Ultrasound – sound waves create a picture of your pancreas.
- Endoscopy (also called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, ERCP) – a thin telescope is inserted down your throat to allow the doctor to see inside your digestive system. This device may also be used to inject dye into the pancreas and bile duct to allow images of these organs to appear on x-ray pictures.
- Laparoscopy – the internal organs are examined with an instrument inserted into the abdomen through a small cut.
- Tissue biopsy – a small sample of the pancreas is removed with a needle and examined in a laboratory.
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scan – an injection with a glucose solution containing a very small amount of radioactive material is given. The scanner can ‘see’ the radioactive substance. Cancerous cells show up as ‘hot spots’ – areas where the glucose is being taken up.
These tests can also help your doctor find out if your cancer has spread. The cancer may have spread into blood vessels or lymph nodes near the pancreas, or into organs further away, like the liver or the lungs. This is called ‘secondary cancer’ or metastasis. The tests you have will help your doctors decide the best treatment for you.
Test results can take a few days to come back. It is very natural to feel anxious waiting to get your results. It can help to talk to a close friend or relative about how you are feeling. You can also contact the Cancer Council and speak with a cancer nurse on 13 11 20.
Treatment of pancreatic cancer
Treatment for pancreatic cancer depends on your age, general health, the size and location of the cancer and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. You may receive one type of treatment or a combination.
Generally, options include:
- Surgery – is used when the cancer has not spread beyond the pancreas. The cancer and part of the pancreas and part of the small bowel are removed in an operation called ‘Whipple’s resection’. Some of the bile ducts, gall bladder and stomach may also be removed. This is major surgery and you need to be fit enough to have it.
- Chemotherapy – anti-cancer medications (either tablets or injections into the veins) may be used after surgery. The drugs work by stopping cancer cells growing and reproducing. Chemotherapy may be given with surgery or alone to help control the symptoms of an advanced cancer.
- Radiotherapy – the use of x-rays to target cancer cells may be used after surgery to destroy any cancer cells that might remain in the body. Radiotherapy can also be used as the main treatment when surgery is not possible, in combination with chemotherapy.
- Complementary and alternative therapies – it’s common for people with cancer to seek out complementary or alternative treatments. When used alongside your conventional cancer treatment, some of these therapies can make you feel better and improve quality of life. Others may not be so helpful and in some cases may be harmful. The Cancer Council Victoria booklet called Understanding Complementary Therapies can be a useful resource.
All treatments have side effects. These will vary depending on the type of treatment you are having. Many side effects are temporary, but some may be permanent. Your doctor will explain all the possible side effects before your treatment begins.
Options may include:
- Endoscopic treatment – the cancer may cause jaundice because it is blocking the bile duct. Endoscopic surgery relieves the pressure by inserting a metal or plastic tube into the bile duct to keep it open. Similar treatment can relieve a section of the small bowel if the cancer is pressing on it.
- Surgery – a blockage in the small bowel can be bypassed by a surgical procedure that attaches a loop of bowel directly to the stomach.
- Tablets – there may be a lack of pancreatic enzymes to properly digest fats, which results in diarrhoea. Tablets containing these enzymes can control this symptom.
- Pain-relieving medication – oral medication is usually given to control pain, but if the pain is particularly severe, medication can be injected into the nerves of the back.
Research into pancreatic cancer
Early detection and better treatment have improved survival for people with pancreatic cancer. The research is ongoing. The CancerHelp UK website
has information about research into pancreatic cancer.
Clinical trials can test the effectiveness of promising new treatments or new ways of combining cancer treatments. Always discuss treatment options with your doctor. The Cancer Council Victoria information sheet called Clinical Trials
may also be a helpful to read.
Your sexuality and pancreatic cancer
Having pancreatic cancer and its treatment can affect the way you feel about your body, who you are, your relationships, the way you express yourself sexually and your sexual feelings (your ‘sexuality’). These changes can be very upsetting.
Your medical team should discuss these issues with you before and during your treatment. If you feel you would like to discuss things further, ask your doctor for a referral to a counsellor or speak to a cancer nurse on the Cancer Council 13 11 20. The Cancer Council Victoria booklet called Sexuality, Intimacy and Cancer
may also be helpful to read.
Caring for someone with cancer
Caring for someone with cancer can be a difficult and emotional time. If you or someone you know is caring for someone with pancreatic cancer, there is support available. The Cancer Council Victoria booklet called Caring for Someone with Cancer
may also be helpful to read.
When a cure isn’t possible
If the cancer has spread and it is not possible to cure it with surgery, your doctor may still recommend treatment that focuses on improving quality of life by relieving the symptoms (this is called palliative treatment). This can help make you feel better and may allow you to live longer. The Cancer Council Victoria booklet called Living with advanced cancer
may be helpful to read.
Where to get help
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
Cancer Council Victoria
Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health & Human Services shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.