What is Pancreatic Cancer?

Pancreatic cancer begins when abnormal cells in the pancreas grow out of control. There are different types, and the type of cancer helps determine how it is assessed and treated.

This guide explains what the pancreas does, the main types of pancreatic cancer, and where to find more information about diagnosis, treatment, and support.

This page is general information, not medical advice. Advice from your own care team comes first.

On this page: What the pancreas does · What pancreatic cancer is · The main types · Risk factors · How it is found · After a diagnosis · Support

What does the pancreas do?

The pancreas is an organ behind the stomach, close to the small intestine, liver, and gallbladder. It has two main jobs:

• It makes digestive enzymes that help break down food.
• It makes hormones, including insulin, that help regulate blood sugar.

These jobs are done by different kinds of cells — which is why more than one kind of tumour can develop in the pancreas.

What is pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer starts when cells in the pancreas change and grow out of control, forming a tumour. As it grows, the cancer can extend into nearby tissues and organs, and it can spread to other parts of the body.

Most pancreatic cancers start in the ducts — the small tubes that carry digestive enzymes out of the pancreas.

Are there different types?

Yes. The two main types are:

• Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) — the most common type. It starts in the cells lining the pancreatic ducts.
• Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (pNETs) — these start in the hormone-producing cells of the pancreas. They behave differently from PDAC and have their own approaches to assessment and treatment.

Some growths in the pancreas are not cancer. Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs), for example, are cysts that grow in the pancreatic ducts. An IPMN is not invasive cancer, but some IPMNs can develop into cancer over time, so they are monitored — and sometimes treated — to reduce that risk.

Risk factors

Most people who develop pancreatic cancer have no single clear cause. Factors associated with a higher risk include:

• Getting older — most cases are diagnosed in people over 60.
• Smoking.
• Long-term inflammation of the pancreas (chronic pancreatitis).
• Long-standing diabetes.
• Obesity.
• A family history of pancreatic cancer, or an inherited gene change.

Not smoking is the clearest step that lowers risk. If pancreatic cancer runs in your family, genetic testing and counselling may be relevant — see our guide to genetic testing for pancreatic cancer.

How is it found?

Pancreatic cancer often causes no symptoms in its early stages, or only vague ones. When symptoms do appear, they can include:

• Pain in the upper abdomen or back.
• Jaundice — yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine, pale stools, or itchy skin.
• Losing weight without trying, or losing your appetite.
• Nausea, indigestion, or a change in bowel habits.
• New or worsening diabetes.
• Ongoing fatigue.

These symptoms are usually caused by something other than pancreatic cancer — but if they persist, see your doctor and ask that they be checked.

If pancreatic cancer is suspected, assessment usually involves a medical history and physical exam, blood tests, and imaging such as a CT scan. A biopsy or other tissue sample is used to confirm the diagnosis and identify the type of cancer.

There is an important distinction between screening and investigating symptoms. No routine screening test is recommended for people at average risk. People at high risk — because of a strong family history or an inherited condition — may be offered regular surveillance through specialist programs.

Read next: Navigating your pancreatic cancer diagnosis — what the assessment process involves, step by step.

What happens after a diagnosis?

After a diagnosis, the care team assesses the type of cancer, how far it extends (its stage), and your overall health, and discusses treatment options with you. These guides explain each part:

• Stages of pancreatic cancer — what the stages mean, and why they matter for treatment decisions.
• Treatment options — surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and other approaches.
• Genetic and biomarker testing — how testing the tumour, or testing for inherited gene changes, can guide treatment.
• Clinical trials — a trial may be an option for some people. Whether one is suitable depends on the study, your eligibility, and availability; your care team can help you assess it, and taking part is always your decision.
• Questions to ask your care team — our starter pack for the first appointments.

Where can I find support?

• Nutrition and digestion — eating, enzymes, and maintaining weight.
• Palliative care and symptom support — palliative care can begin at any stage, alongside treatment, to help with symptoms and quality of life.
• Emotional and mental health support — groups, communities, and counselling.
• Financial support — benefits, travel help, and tax credits in Canada.
• Caregivers Hub — information and support for the people providing care.

Looking for numbers instead? Our pancreatic cancer statistics page keeps figures together with their sources and dates.

Sources

• What is pancreatic cancer? — Canadian Cancer Society
• Cancerous tumours of the pancreas — Canadian Cancer Society
• Precancerous conditions of the pancreas — Canadian Cancer Society
• Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer — Canadian Cancer Society
• Pancreatic cancer screening — U.S. National Cancer Institute
• Framework on Palliative Care in Canada — Health Canada

Last reviewed: October 24, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Report it here.