Pancreatic cancer

What is pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer starts in cells of the pancreas. The most common type is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Risks for pancreatic cancer

Risks for pancreatic cancer include smoking tobacco, obesity and diabetes.

Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer

Common signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer include indigestion, abdominal or back pain, and jaundice.

Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer can be diagnosed or ruled out by tests such as blood chemistry tests, CT scans and biopsies.

Grading pancreatic cancer

Grading describes how cancer cells look compared to healthy cells. Low-grade pancreatic cancer tends to grow more slowly and is less likely to spread than high-grade pancreatic cancer.

Stages of pancreatic cancer

The stage of pancreatic cancer describes how much cancer there is and where the cancer is in the body. Different staging systems are used for the different types of pancreatic cancer.

If pancreatic cancer spreads

Pancreatic cancer can spread (metastasize) to the liver and lungs.

Prognosis and survival for pancreatic cancer

Prognosis estimates the outcome for pancreatic cancer. It depends on many factors including resectability, the extent of resection and the stage.

Treatments for pancreatic cancer

Treatments for pancreatic cancer include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Learn about treatment plans and options for pancreatic cancer.

Supportive care for pancreatic cancer

Supportive care helps people with physical and emotional aspects of pancreatic cancer. Learn how to cope with long-term side effects of pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer statistics

Cancer statistics tell us how many people in Canada are diagnosed with and die from pancreatic cancer in a certain time frame.

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Medical disclaimer

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