Description

Pancreatic cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland located behind the stomach that produces enzymes for digestion and hormones like insulin that regulate blood sugar. Most pancreatic cancers are adenocarcinomas, meaning they start in the cells lining the ducts that carry digestive enzymes. Pancreatic cancer is often difficult to detect early, as symptoms may not appear until the cancer has spread, and it is associated with a low survival rate.