The short answer
Pancreatic cancer can develop from two kinds of cells in the pancreas: exocrine cells and neuroendocrine cells. The exocrine type is more common and is usually found at an advanced stage. Neuroendocrine tumors are less common but have a better outlook.
Pancreatic cancer can start in two kinds of cells: exocrine cells and neuroendocrine cells.
The exocrine type is more common.
The exocrine type is usually found at an advanced stage.
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (islet cell tumors) are less common.
Subjective: What you might experience
This section describes the symptoms and history a patient might report to their doctor.
Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), often with dark urine and pale stools.
Pain in the upper abdomen or back.
Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite.
New-onset diabetes or worsening blood sugar control.
Nausea, fatigue, and greasy or floating stools.
Risk history
smoking, obesity, chronic pancreatitis, family history, certain inherited syndromes.
Objective: Tests and findings
Imaging
pancreatic-protocol CT, MRI/MRCP, and endoscopic ultrasound.
Endoscopic ultrasound with fine-needle biopsy for tissue diagnosis.
CA 19-9 tumor marker and liver function tests.
ERCP in some cases to relieve bile duct blockage and obtain samples.
Staging imaging to assess involvement of blood vessels and spread.
Interactive anatomy guide
Explore where cancers start and how they are found, on an interactive body map.
Open the anatomy guideAssessment: Staging and prognosis
Most are pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma; diagnosis confirmed by biopsy.
Categorized as resectable, borderline resectable, locally advanced, or metastatic based on vessel involvement and spread.
TNM staging combined with resectability guides treatment.
Nutritional and biliary status assessed.
Plan: The treatment approach
Surgery (e.g., Whipple procedure) for resectable disease, usually with chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy, sometimes with radiation, before or after surgery.
Advanced disease
chemotherapy, targeted therapy for specific mutations, and clinical trials.
Relief of bile duct blockage, pain control, and nutritional/enzyme support.
Genetic testing and ongoing monitoring.
These are simplified, educational SOAP-style summaries showing the kinds of findings clinicians document when evaluating each cancer, based on National Cancer Institute resources. They describe typical diagnostic criteria and workups — not a real patient, and not medical advice. Real clinical notes are individualized. Always rely on your own care team. Based on National Cancer Institute educational content. Educational only — not medical advice.
Words to know
Tap any term to see what it means.
Common questions
What kinds of cells does pancreatic cancer start in?
Pancreatic cancer can develop from two kinds of cells in the pancreas: exocrine cells and neuroendocrine cells, such as islet cells.
Which type of pancreatic cancer is more common?
The exocrine type is more common. It is usually found at an advanced stage.
What are pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors?
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, also called islet cell tumors, start in neuroendocrine cells. They are less common than the exocrine type but have a better prognosis.
Why does the type of cell matter?
The two types can behave differently. The exocrine type is usually found at an advanced stage, while neuroendocrine tumors have a better prognosis.
Is there a screening test for pancreatic cancer?
The National Cancer Institute does not have PDQ evidence-based information about prevention or screening for pancreatic cancer. Your healthcare team can explain more.
Questions to ask your doctor
Being prepared helps you get the most out of your appointments. Save or print these questions.
Tap a question to save it to your list (kept on this device).
Speak With Trained Specialists & Human Navigators
Cancer Explained provides educational guidance, but does not replace trained specialists, social workers, or your medical team.
Talk to a trained cancer information specialist
Free, confidential assistance from NCI Cancer Information Service via phone, chat, or email.
Contact your oncology team
Locate after-hours contact numbers, portal messages, or urgent triage phone lines.
Find a patient navigator
Get one-on-one help with appointments, logistics, translation, and care coordination.
Find a genetic counselor
Discuss inherited mutation risk, family history, and genetic testing options.
Find an oncology social worker
Access emotional counseling, family support groups, and mental health resources.
Find a financial navigator
Locate copay assistance foundations, grant programs, and lodging/travel support.
Find a clinical-trial specialist
Search matching studies and speak with NCI trial information specialists.
Get urgent help
Immediate emergency guidance for fever (>100.4°F during chemo), severe pain, or shortness of breath.
Help Us Improve This Guide
Did this explanation answer your question and help you determine your next step?
Know someone who needs this?
Plenty of people are looking for something like this and do not know where to start. If this would help a friend or someone you love, send it on — we have written an opening line so you do not have to stare at an empty message. You can change every word of it.
Your message is written and sent in your own email or messaging app — we never see who you send it to, and nothing is added to any list.
Knowledge Check
0 of 4 answered
This self-assessment checks understanding of educational content only. It is not medical advice.
Plain-language explanation of the published sources cited on this page. AI-assisted, source-checked, not clinician-reviewed.
Sources last checked: 2026-07-21 what this meansLast updated: 2026-08-05Next planned review: 2027-07-21
How this page was created
Cancer Explained does not originate medical claims. Every page restates guidance already published by the National Cancer Institute, the CDC, the USPSTF and the FDA, in plain language, with the source cited so you can check the original yourself. AI does the translating and organizing; automated checks test claims, citations, clarity and safety before anything publishes. We do not employ clinicians and do not intend to — our work is translation and navigation, not clinical judgment. Nothing here is personal medical advice, and no page can account for your particular situation.
Editorial status — Source checked. This page was written with AI assistance and checked line by line against the sources listed on it. That confirms the sources support what the page says. It is not a medical review, and it does not confirm the page is complete or right for your situation.
General education — varies by person. Answers genuinely differ between people. This page explains what commonly varies and points you to your care team for your situation.
Human medical review: not completed. Pages here are not signed off by a clinician before they publish. That is not an oversight we are quietly working around: we restate published guidance and cite it, so the authority belongs to the source rather than to us, and every page names where its claims come from — you can verify us instead of trusting us. Where a volunteer clinician has reviewed a page, their name and credentials appear on it; where no name appears, no clinician has checked it. We are glad to have reviewers and are recruiting them, and we do not hold pages back waiting for one. Use this site to understand your situation and to ask better questions of the people treating you.
How this page was created
Cancer Explained does not originate medical claims. Every page restates guidance already published by the National Cancer Institute, the CDC, the USPSTF and the FDA, in plain language, with the source cited so you can check the original yourself. AI does the translating and organizing; automated checks test claims, citations, clarity and safety before anything publishes. We do not employ clinicians and do not intend to — our work is translation and navigation, not clinical judgment. Nothing here is personal medical advice, and no page can account for your particular situation.
Editorial status: Source checked — This page was written with AI assistance and checked line by line against the sources listed on it. That confirms the sources support what the page says. It is not a medical review, and it does not confirm the page is complete or right for your situation.
Human medical review: not completed. Pages here are not signed off by a clinician before they publish. That is not an oversight we are quietly working around: we restate published guidance and cite it, so the authority belongs to the source rather than to us, and every page names where its claims come from — you can verify us instead of trusting us. Where a volunteer clinician has reviewed a page, their name and credentials appear on it; where no name appears, no clinician has checked it. We are glad to have reviewers and are recruiting them, and we do not hold pages back waiting for one. Use this site to understand your situation and to ask better questions of the people treating you.
Read more about our editorial process, our use of AI, and our corrections policy.
Spotted a problem? Report an error — a factual mistake, broken or outdated source, confusing wording, or anything that seems unsafe. Please do not include names, medical record numbers, dates of birth, addresses, or other identifying medical information in your report.
After using this page, do you understand what to do next?
Anonymous — we only record the answer, never who gave it.
Related articles
- What Is Cancer? How It Starts and Spreads
- Cancer Staging: What the Stage Means
- Understanding Cancer Risk Factors
- Questions to Ask About Pancreatic Cancer Treatment
- Neuroendocrine Tumor Symptoms and Delayed Diagnosis
- Types of Neuroendocrine Tumors and Why Grade Matters
- Types of Pancreatic Cancer: Exocrine vs. Neuroendocrine
- Pancreatic Cancer Survival Rates Explained
Still have questions?
Educational answers, plain language
Free to print and share