The pancreas produces enzymes that help the body digest food. When cancer develops in the pancreas, it can affect the production of these enzymes. Cancer cells also have the ability to grow and spread throughout the body by releasing cells that can invade nearby tissues. This can lead to other organs being affected by the pancreatic cancer. The most common symptoms of pancreatic cancer are pain, nausea and weight loss.
Over time, pancreatic cancer can cause the ducts that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder and then into the small intestine to become blocked. This is called a bile duct obstruction and can lead to jaundice. Jaundice is the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. Jaundice is usually accompanied by belly pain. Surgical removal of the tumor can often cure this condition. Sometimes, the cancer may come back in or near the pancreas (called a local recurrence) or it might spread to other parts of the body (called a distant recurrence). If the cancer comes back, you might need more treatment.
There are no early signs of pancreatic cancer, so most people don’t know they have the disease until it is advanced. The disease is most likely to occur in older adults. People who have a family history of the disease might be at higher risk.
Cancer can start in the cells that line the outside of the pancreas or in the pancreatic duct. Over time, these cancer cells can change and form a tumor. The tumor can also spread to other organs and blood vessels in the body.
The majority of pancreatic cancers are adenocarcinomas. Less than 10% of pancreatic tumors are neuroendocrine tumors, also called islet cell carcinoma. The most common type of neuroendocrine tumor is a somatostatin receptor positive NET. This type of tumor is associated with a type of fat in the body called palmitoyl ethanolamide, which is found in high levels in people who are overweight.
When a person is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, they will have regular appointments with their doctor or specialist nurse. These might be at the hospital or with their GP (general practitioner). They will have scans, blood tests and CA 19-9 tests to check the progress of the cancer. They should tell their healthcare professional if they have any new symptoms between appointments.
The care team at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of Keck Medicine of USC, is dedicated to helping patients manage their symptoms and live as comfortably as possible. This includes educating them on the best treatments for their situation and answering any questions they might have. Our doctors have specialized training in pancreatic cancer and can help with many different types of treatment. They can also offer support and resources to help with the emotional aspects of this difficult disease. This includes counseling, peer support and support groups.
