Pancreatic cancer is a form of abdominal cancer in which cells in the pancreas grow abnormally. Usually, new cells form when the old cells die. But when this process breaks down, it could lead to the formation of new cells even when the old ones are still alive. These extra cells may form a mass of tissue called a tumor.

These tumors may be benign or malignant. Benign tumors do not invade other parts of the body, and so, they are harmless. A malignant tumor grows out of control and spreads to other tissues and organs, leading to cancer.

Pancreatic cancer spreads rapidly, and it can spreads to the organs situated nearby. It does not lead to any symptoms in the initial stages, because of which it may go undiagnosed for a long time.

Symptoms
Most often, the symptoms of this condition do not occur until an advanced stage. Some signs of pancreatic cancer are:

• The skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow
• Fatigue
• Blood clots
• New-onset diabetes
• Depression
• Loss of appetite or weight loss
• Pain in the upper abdomen that may spread to the back

Risk factors

• Chronic and hereditary pancreatitis
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Obesity
• A family history of pancreatic cancer
• A family history of genetic syndromes that can increase the risk of cancer
• Race: African-Americans or Ashkenazi Jews face a higher risk
• Age: People over the age of 60 face a relatively high risk
• Gender: Men are more likely to develop this condition than women
• Diet: Diets that are high in red and processed meats increase the risk of pancreatic cancer

Complications
Some common complications associated with pancreatic cancer are:

• Weight loss
• Jaundice
• Pain
• Bowel obstruction

Diagnosis

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Ultrasound
• Positron emission tomography (PET scan)

Different forms of biopsies can help diagnose the condition and determine the right treatment for the same.

• Laparoscopy: In this surgical procedure, surgeons make minor incisions in the body and gather tissue samples. These samples are then tested for cancer. The doctor may also use a laparoscope to check how far cancer has spread.
  Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): An endoscope is a camera-equipped flexible tube which is inserted in the body through the mouth. The endoscope is then extended to the small intestine, close to the pancreas. ERCP is used for collecting pictures of the area, and it may also be used to take a tissue sample for biopsy.
• Endoscopic ultrasound: Here, an ultrasound probe attached to the endoscope is inserted into the body close to the pancreas. The ultrasounds are used to pinpoint the tumorous mass.
• Percutaneous needle biopsy: Also known as fine needle aspiration, here, a needle is inserted into the tumorous mass to get tissue samples for further testing.

Treatments
The treatment for pancreatic cancer depends on the stage of the disease and the patient’s health. Some standard treatment options are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Surgery offers the best chance of controlling pancreatic cancer, but as most patients are diagnosed at a late stage, they may not be eligible for surgery.