Pancreatic cancer is relatively rare overall but is a common cause of cancer deaths, because it is often not diagnosed until it has reached an advanced stage.
The cause of the cancer is unknown, but risk factors include smoking, being overweight, high alcohol consumption, diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, and a family history of pancreatic cancer.
Symptoms usually do not appear until late in the disease and often develop gradually. They may include pain in the upper abdomen that spreads out to the back, loss of appetite, weight loss, jaundice, and itching. There may also sometimes be indigestion, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Treatment depends on the individual case but typically includes surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and medication. The aim of treatment is to eradicate the cancer, but often this is not possible, and treatment is focused on relieving symptoms and limiting the spread of the cancer.