What is pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer starts in the cells of the pancreas. The pancreas is a large gland that lies behind your stomach, deep in the upper part of the abdomen.

The pancreas is part of the digestive system. Digestive juices made by the pancreas flow down a tube in the centre of the pancreas called the pancreatic duct. The pancreatic duct joins the common bile duct, which carries bile from the liver. The common bile duct then empties into the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). The pancreatic juices and bile help digest food in the duodenum after it has left the stomach.

The pancreas is also part of the hormonal system. It makes insulin and other hormones. Hormones made in the pancreas enter the bloodstream and help your body use or store the energy (made from sugar and fat) from the food you eat.

Most pancreatic cancers start in the pancreatic duct. Pancreatic cancer that starts in the cells that make hormones (called islet cell cancer) is rare.