Pancreatic cancer begins as a growth of cells in the pancreas. Your pancreas is the small, pear-shaped organ behind your stomach that is responsible for performing two main jobs:
Making hormones like insulin, which help your body manage your blood sugar
Producing digestive juices to help break down food and absorb nutrients
Pancreatic cancer is often asymptomatic in its early stages, which makes it difficult to detect until it begins showing symptoms once it has spread to other organs. The American Cancer Society states the average lifetime risk of developing pancreatic cancer is approximately one in 60 women and one in 56 men. Still, risk factors can differ from person to person.
At Charleston GI, our board-certified gastroenterologists will work with your healthcare team to examine your symptoms, provide a diagnosis, and help treat your pancreatic cancer through a treatment plan that best suits your situation and your lifestyle. Treatment options can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination. We're here to help guide you and find genuine relief.
While the exact cause of pancreatic cancer hasn’t been identified, doctors do know some of the things that can increase the risk of developing it. These risks include smoking, alcohol use, or a family history of pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer develops when the organ's cells experience changes to their DNA. Since DNA is an "instruction manual" for cells, those changes give the cells wrong instructions, which causes them to grow too quickly and not die when they're supposed to. Healthy cells know when to grow, divide, and die; cancerous cells do not, resulting in a buildup of too many cells.
As these cells build up and grow, a tumor forms. This tumor can grow, cause damage to surrounding tissue, and spread to other parts of the body.
Types of Pancreatic Cancer:
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma: The most common kind of pancreatic cancer, making up about 95% of cases. This type typically starts in the ducts of the pancreas.
Less common types of pancreatic cancer include adenosquamous carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and a few others.
RISK FACTORS
Factors that can impact your risk of developing pancreatic cancer include:
Chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
Heavy alcohol use
Family history of genetic mutations known to increase cancer risk, such as the BRCA2 gene, Lynch syndrome, and FAMMM syndrome
Recently developing diabetes or pancreatitis may lead your doctor to screen for pancreatic cancer. Talk to your board-certified gastroenterologist if you're experiencing any sudden GI symptoms or changes.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Bowel blockage:
The tumor may put pressure on or block the small intestine
Causes difficulties in passing food into the stomach
Treatment options include:
A stent to open the intestine
A feeding tube
Surgery to connect the stomach to the lower part of the intestine
ERCP procedure: Places a stent in the bile duct to keep it open
Pain:
Tumors pressing on abdominal nerves can cause pain
Pain relievers may be recommended, or chemotherapy or radiation may be used
If pain is severe, a celiac plexus block procedure can stop the nerves from sending pain signals
Weight loss:
The cancer utilizes all the body’s energy
Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite make eating difficult
The pancreas may not produce sufficient amounts of digestive juices, making the body unable to absorb nutrients properly
WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR
In the early stages, it’s difficult to know if you have pancreatic cancer, as the signs aren’t always obvious. Contact your gastroenterologist if you’re experiencing any of the following:
Losing weight for an unknown reason
Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
If you’re experiencing any other new symptoms that are worrisome to you or don’t go away, schedule an appointment with Charleston GI. No referral is needed for you to see one of our board-certified gastroenterologists.
Our GI doctors will examine, diagnose, treat, and manage your GI conditions, diseases, and cancers, including pancreatic cancer.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST
Imaging Tests:
Captures detailed pictures of the inside of your body
EUS procedures use a thin tube equipped with a camera and an ultrasound tip
The doctor slides the tube down the throat into the stomach
Creates detailed pictures of the pancreas and surrounding organs
Biopsy (removing a small tissue sample):
Tests to confirm if cancer is present
The sample is most often taken during an EUS
Sometimes done by inserting a thin needle through the skin (fine-needle aspiration)
The lab evaluates the tissue for cancer and specific DNA alterations to help plan treatment
Blood Tests:
Look for a tumor marker called CA19-9, which some pancreatic cancers release
Used to track how well the treatment is working
Not all pancreatic cancers release CA19-9, so this test isn’t always a viable option
Genetic Testing:
Utilizes a blood or saliva sample to check for inherited DNA mutations that increase cancer risks
Results can alert family members if they’re at higher risk and guide treatment choices
After confirming a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, your doctor will stage your cancer by working to find the extent of it. Your medical team uses your cancer’s stage to fully understand your prognosis and plan treatment accordingly.
Pancreatic cancer is categorized in stages 0 to 4. The lowest stage indicates the cancer is only in the pancreas. The stage increases as the cancer grows, with stage 4 indicating the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
TREATMENT
Treatment for pancreatic cancer depends on the stage and location of the tumor. To build a treatment plan, your doctor will consider those two factors along with your overall health and preferences. The first goal in treatment is usually to remove the cancer. Otherwise, your doctor and healthcare team may focus on quality of life, management of symptoms, and keeping the cancer from spreading or causing greater harm.
Treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination. In the more advanced stages, treatment often focuses on relieving symptoms, improving quality of life, and ensuring comfort for as long as possible.
Treatment options include:
Surgery:
Surgery can cure pancreatic cancer, but it may not be the right option for all.
Typically recommended if the cancer hasn’t spread too far.
Sometimes, chemotherapy is used first to shrink the tumor before surgery.
Types of surgery:
Whipple procedure: Removes the head of the pancreas, part of the small intestine, the bile duct, and sometimes part of the stomach.
Distal pancreatectomy: Removes the tail and body of the pancreas and often the spleen.
Total pancreatectomy: Removes the entire pancreas. Medicine to replace hormones and digestive enzymes after surgery is needed.
Vessel-involved surgery: A complex procedure performed when cancer is near blood vessels. Only performed at highly experienced medical centers.
Recovery after surgery is often long and may include side effects like nausea or infections. Before a procedure, ask about your surgeon’s experience.
Chemotherapy:
Uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells
May be administered intravenously or by mouth
Used to:
Shrink the cancer before surgery
Destroy leftover cells after surgery
Control advanced cancer and ease symptoms
Radiation may be used in addition to boost results
Radiation Therapy:
Uses high-energy beams (like X-rays or protons) to destroy cancer cells
The machine aims the beams at the tumor while you lie on a table
Can be used:
Before or after surgery
Alongside chemotherapy to shrink the tumor
To relieve pain and/or symptoms if the cancer has spread
Immunotherapy:
Helps your immune system seek out and attack cancer cells
Only works for certain people with specific DNA alterations in their cancer
Talk to your doctor to see if you qualify for this treatment
Clinical Trials
Opportunity to try new, experimental treatments
May offer hope when standard options aren’t working
Side effects aren't always known, so talk with your doctor about the risks
Palliative Care (Supportive Care)
Focuses on relieving and managing symptoms
Helps manage pain, stress, and side effects
Palliative care is an option alongside other cancer treatments
Studies show that those receiving palliative care may feel better and live longer
PREVENTION
Screening for High-Risk People
What it is:
Tests like MRIs or ultrasounds are done annually to look for early signs of cancer.
Who it’s for:
People with a family history of pancreatic cancer or inherited DNA mutations that increase cancer risk.
Why it’s done:
To diagnose cancer early, when it’s easier to treat.
Things to consider:
Tests may find non-cancer issues that may still require surgery. Discuss the pros and cons with your doctor before you begin screening.
Genetic Testing
Why it matters:
Some genetic DNA mutations can increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.
What to do:
Discuss your family history with a doctor or genetic counselor.
They can help determine if genetic testing is right for you.
Testing may help guide your prevention, screening, or treatment plan.
Healthy Habits to Lower Risk
Quit smoking
Smoking increases your risk.
Talk to your doctor about methods for quitting, such as support groups or nicotine patches.
Maintain a healthy weight
If you’re already at a healthy weight, aim to maintain it.
If you need to lose weight, make small, steady changes.
Get regular exercise and opt for healthy foods.
Eat a nutritious diet
Focus on eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and smaller portions.
Limit ultra-processed foods, sugary drinks, and red or processed meats.
With pancreatic cancer, complete remission can be achieved with early detection and treatment. Realistically, the only way to cure pancreatic cancer is to remove the tumor through surgery completely.
Can you live without a pancreas?
Yes, you can - but it does come with side effects.
Your pancreas produces enzymes and hormones, so without these, you’ll need supplement therapies to replace them and help your body regulate your blood sugar and properly absorb nutrients.
What does pancreatitis pain feel like?
Pain related to pancreatitis is often a severe aching pain located in the upper, center, or left side of the abdomen that sometimes radiates to the back. Some describe it as a deep, band-like sensation that is a dull, ongoing ache. Acute pancreatitis pain can be intense and often comes on suddenly, but chronic pancreatitis can be duller and more persistent, with flare-ups that worsen symptoms.
Can I prevent pancreatic cancer?
While you can’t prevent pancreatic cancer, there are things you can do to lower your risk, including:
Don’t smoke
Limit alcohol intake
Include lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet
Reduce the amount of red meat, sugary drinks, and processed foods in your diet
Limit exposure to harmful chemicals such as asbestos, pesticides, and petrochemicals
Maintain a healthy weight for you
How common is pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is the 10th most common cancer in men and the eighth most common cancer in women. Making up approximately 3% of all cancers in the U.S., pancreatic cancer is on the rise.
According to the American Cancer Society, the U.S. pancreatic cancer estimates for 2025 are as follows:
About 67,440 people (34,950 men and 32,490 women) will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
About 51,980 people (27,050 men and 24,930 women) will die of pancreatic cancer
How long does it take to notice pancreatic cancer?
In its early stages, there are often no tell-tale signs.
Some can exhibit mild or vague symptoms up to a year before being diagnosed, with many reporting their first symptoms as stomach pain or back pain. At first, symptoms may come and go and get worse after eating or when lying down.
What are some early signs that pancreatic cancer is spreading?
Early pancreatic cancer symptoms can be non-specific, vague, and mistaken for different conditions. Some people begin experiencing subtle symptoms up to a year before their diagnosis.
As the cancer progresses, new symptoms may develop. Advanced pancreatic cancer symptoms may include:
Abdominal pain
Extreme fatigue
Unexplained weight loss
Jaundice
Fluid buildup and swelling in your abdomen
How is pancreatic cancer diagnosed?
Pancreatic cancer can be tricky to diagnose early on due to the location and small size of the pancreas. To take a closer look at the pancreas, your doctor may try a few different testing methods, such as:
Imaging tests: Scans like CTs, MRIs, PETs, or ultrasounds
Blood tests: Can look for different markers in your blood, like a protein called CA 19-9, which can be higher if cancer is present
Laparoscopic testing: Your doctor will make small cuts and use a tiny camera on the end of a tube to view the inside of your abdomen and check for anything unusual. During this test, they might also take a small biopsy.
Genetic testing: Used to see if you have any inherited reasons why you got pancreatic cancer or if you have a strong family history of the disease
What is the difference between Resectable vs. Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer?
Medical professionals place pancreatic tumors in four different categories:
Resectable: Tumor is only located in the pancreas and doesn’t involve nearby blood vessels or other organs. It can be removed with surgery.
Borderline resectable: Tumor is located in the pancreas, and there’s some involvement of nearby blood vessels. It can still be removed with surgery.
Locally advanced: Tumor is located in the pancreas with significant involvement of nearby blood vessels. Surgical removal might be difficult or unsafe.
Metastatic: The cancer has spread to other areas in your body, such as your liver, lungs, or abdominal cavity, and/or to organs, tissues, or lymph nodes nearby.
If you have specific questions about pancreatic cancer, its different types, and how it’s staged, talk to your doctor. Understanding your diagnosis can help you make the best decisions for your treatment and your well-being.
How long does it take for tumorous cancer to grow in the pancreas?
In your pancreas, it can take about 10 to 20 years for a single cancer cell to grow into a tumor. Ongoing research aims to determine how we can detect pancreatic cancer earlier when it’s more treatable.
What is the survival rate for pancreatic cancer?
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the pancreatic cancer 5-year survival rate is 12%, meaning 12% of those who have been diagnosed are still alive five years later. This number is because most pancreatic diagnoses are more advanced. Remember, long-term prognosis depends on the type of tumor, size, location, and stage.
Talk to your doctor if you have specific questions about survival rates and what they mean for you.
SCHEDULE YOUR GI APPOINTMENT TODAY, NO REFERRAL NEEDED
To learn more about pancreatic cancer, its treatment, and its symptoms, contact Charleston GI today! Our team is committed to a higher standard of caring, and we provide a wide range of treatment options to help you feel your best.
If you are experiencing any ongoing GI symptoms, schedule your appointment today! No referral needed.
