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Pancreatic cancer refers to a malignant tumor in the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ that sits just below your stomach and is responsible for making certain hormones and aiding in digestion.
Pancreatic cancer is a rare type of cancer. In the United States, it represents only about 3 percent of all cancers.
Our compassionate oncologists at Dignity Health provide expert treatment for pancreatic cancer. Find a Doctor near you today for personalized care.
The pancreas lies deep in your abdomen, behind the stomach. This makes it virtually impossible to feel tumors as they develop and grow. Most people don’t notice any symptoms of pancreatic cancer unless the cancer cells begin to spread into lymph nodes or other organs, like the liver.
When symptoms of pancreatic cancer do develop, they may include:
Since a number of noncancerous conditions could cause these symptoms, your doctor will likely recommend testing to rule them out.
Pancreatic cancer occurs when the cells of the pancreas mutate and reproduce abnormally, forming a tumor.
Researchers haven’t yet uncovered the precise cause of pancreatic and other cancers.
There are two basic types of pancreatic cancer.
Experts don’t fully understand what causes pancreatic cancer, but have found that some risk factors increase the likelihood. These include:
While cancer isn’t totally preventable, there are things you can do to stay as healthy as possible and reduce risk.
Some protective factors that reduce the likelihood of pancreatic cancer are:
The information contained in this article is meant for educational purposes only and should not replace advice from your healthcare provider.