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About This Booklet
This National Cancer Institute (NCI) booklet is about cancer* that starts in the pancreas. This disease is also called pancreatic cancer.
Each year in the United States, more than 43,000 people are diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas. Most are over 65 years old.
There are two main types of pancreatic cancer.
Most often, pancreatic cancer starts in the ducts that carry pancreatic juices. This type is called exocrine pancreatic cancer. This booklet is about this type.
Much less often, pancreatic cancer begins in the cells that make hormones. This type may be called endocrine pancreatic cancer or islet cell cancer. This booklet is not about endocrine pancreatic cancer. NCI’s Cancer Information Service at 1–800–4–CANCER (1–800–422–6237) can provide information about this disease. |
Learning about medical care for cancer of the pancreas can help you take an active part in making choices about your care. This booklet tells about:
- Diagnosis and staging
- Treatment and supportive care
- Taking part in research studies
This booklet has lists of questions that you may want to ask your doctor. Many people find it helpful to take a list of questions to a doctor visit. To help remember what your doctor says, you can take notes. You may also want to have a family member or friend go with you when you talk with the doctor—to take notes, ask questions, or just listen.
For the latest information about cancer of the pancreas, please visit NCI’s Web site at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/pancreatic. Also, NCI’s Cancer Information Service can answer your questions about cancer. We can also send you NCI booklets and fact sheets. Call 1–800–4–CANCER (1–800–422–6237) or chat with us online using LiveHelp, NCI’s instant messaging service, at http://www.cancer.gov/livehelp.
*Words in italics are in the Dictionary. The Dictionary explains these terms. It also shows how to pronounce them.
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