There are different types of pancreatic cancer. Cysts or benign tumors, which are not cancerous but can sometimes lead to cancer, can also form in the pancreas. Cancers in other parts of the body, which are not pancreatic cancer, may affect the pancreas.
Malignant (cancerous) tumors
Malignant tumors can grow into and destroy surrounding tissue and may spread to other parts of the body.
Exocrine tumours that start in the exocrine cells, where enzymes that help to digest food are made, account for 96% of pancreatic cancers. By far the most common type is called pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, which begins in the ducts that carry digestive enzymes out of the pancreas.
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) develop from cells in the endocrine gland of the pancreas that secrete hormones into the bloodstream. They are rare, accounting for less than 5 percent of pancreatic cancers.
Cysts and benign tumors
Benign (non-cancerous) cysts (fluid-filled sacs) or tumours may grow in their place but do not spread. Some growths or tumours, described as precancerous, might develop into cancer over time if left untreated. These types of pancreatic growths may be picked up on imaging scans, such as CT scans, done for other reasons.
Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are a type of cyst that develops in pancreatic ducts, most commonly found in people over 50. Most are not cancerous and may cause no symptoms. However they should be monitored as they can potentially become cancerous.
Serous cystadenoma (also known as serous cystic neoplasm) are non-cancerous cysts which often cause no symptoms. They may occur anywhere in the pancreas, and mostly affect women over 50. Most don’t need to be treated unless they grow large or cause symptoms.
Mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) are slow-growing tumors that have cysts filled with a jelly-like substance called mucin. They are usually not cancerous but can become cancerous. They most commonly affect women in their 40s and 50s.
Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPNs) are rare, slow-growing tumors that almost always develop in young women. Although these tumors tend to grow slowly, they can sometimes spread to other parts of the body and so may require surgery.
Other cancers which may affect the pancreas
Some cancers grow in structures that are close to or inside the pancreas, such as the bile duct, and may cause similar symptoms or require the same treatment as for pancreatic cancer:
Ampullary cancer (carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater) starts in the ampulla of Vater, where the bile duct and pancreatic duct come together and empty into the small intestine. They often block the bile duct while they are still small, causing a build-up of bile in the body leading to jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of eyes). This often leads to these cancers being detected earlier than most pancreatic cancers, which can improve prognosis.
Bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma) occurs in the bile duct that carries bile from the liver to the small intestine. If bile duct cancer occurs where it passes through the pancreas it is called intra-pancreatic bile duct cancer or distal cholangiocarcinoma.
Duodenal cancer occurs in the duodenum – the first part of the small intestine – which is next to the pancreas, and may cause symptoms similar to pancreatic cancer.
Primary pancreatic lymphoma is a rare tumor which occurs when cancer of the body’s lymphatic system develops in the pancreas.
Rarely, cancer may spread (metastase) from other parts of the body to the pancreas. In these cases the cancer is named by the primary cancer site and treated by the medical team specializing in that particular cancer. Pancreatic surgeons may also be involved if surgery is req
