Pancreatic cancer occurs when the cells in the pancreas mutate and start growing abnormally, forming a tumour. The pancreas is an important organ which produces hormones for the endocrine system and enzymes for the digestive system which serve in breaking down the nutrients in food. Pancreatic cancer is a relatively common condition with a very high death rate. The survival chances for patients diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas are usually very low. Adenocarcinomas comprise the vast majority of pancreatic tumours.

As a rule, patients of pancreatic cancer do not display symptoms until the tumour has reached an advanced stage and spread to other internal organs, which is why this form of cancer can be so deadly. Common symptoms include pain in the abdomen, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, yellow skin and eyes.

Pancreatic cancer is thought to be more common in patients who smoke tobacco, consume large quantities of alcohol, have chronic pancreatitis, Helicobacter pylori infection, some periodontal diseases, are obese, older than 60, male, black, have poor diet (too much red meat and too little vegetables), are diagnosed with diabetes or have family history of pancreatic cancer.

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