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Call, email or WhatsApp one of our friendly nurses, like Jeni. They’re experts in pancreatic cancer and support thousands of people, like you, each year.
Pancreatic cancer starts in the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland behind your stomach that makes enzymes and hormones, including insulin.
Our specialist nurse, Lisa, explains what the pancreas does and what pancreatic cancer is. This video has information about symptoms of pancreatic cancer, and how to get support.
What types of pancreatic cancer are there?
There are different types of pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is the most common type. Neuroendocrine cancers are less common – they behave differently and are treated differently. You may hear these called pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours or NETs.
How does pancreatic cancer affect the body?
The pancreas helps with digestion and produces insulin. Pancreatic cancer can affect how well the pancreas works. You may have problems digesting your food and controlling sugar levels in your blood (diabetes). You may get symptoms including indigestion, tummy or back pain, changes to your poo, weight loss and jaundice.
Read more about signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer.
What happens after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis?
Your test results will give your doctors detailed information about your cancer, and help them to work out the best treatment for you.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, you probably have lots of questions and worries, and it can be hard to take everything in. Our specialist nurses on our Support Line are here to help you.
Can pancreatic cancer be treated?
Your medical team will talk to you about your treatment options. The treatment and care that’s right for you will depend on the type of pancreatic cancer you have and the stage of the cancer.
Treatment options include surgery to remove the cancer and chemotherapy. There are also treatments to help with symptoms, such as capsules containing pancreatic enzymes that help with digestion.
How serious is pancreatic cancer?
Some people want to know whether their cancer can be cured, or how long they may have left to live. This is called your prognosis, outlook or life expectancy.
This will be different for each person and depends on several things. It’s important to talk to your doctor about your own situation, if you want to know more.
You can read more about prognosis if you want to.
Have you been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer?
If you have pancreatic cancer, we’re here to help. You don’t have to face pancreatic cancer alone. We offer guidance and support to you and your family at every step, ensuring you have the help you need.
Get support now
References
We have listed some of the references to the sources used to write this information. If you would like the full list of references, email us at publications@pancreaticcancer.org.uk
- Liao W et al. Identifying symptoms associated with diagnosis of pancreatic exocrine and neuroendocrine neoplasms: a nested case-control study of the UK primary care population. Br J Gen Pract 2021; doi: https://doi.org/10.3399/BJGP.2021.0153.
- Tseng DS et al. Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency in patients with pancreatic or periampullary cancer: A systematic review. Pancreas. [Online] 2016;45(3):325-330. Available from: doi:10.1097/MPA.0000000000000473
- Wynne K, Devereaux B, Dornhorst A. Diabetes of the exocrine pancreas. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. [Online] 2019;34(2):346-354. Available from: doi:10.1111/jgh.14451
- Chandra S et al. Discordant risk factors between pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Endocrine-Related Cancer 32(4), 2025. doi.org/10.1530/ERC-24-0142
- Kolbeinsson HM, Chandana S, et al. Pancreatic Cancer: A Review of Current Treatment and Novel Therapies. J Invest Surg. 2023 Dec 31;36(1):2129884.
Published March 2026
To be reviewed March 2029