Cancer Types
Common cancer types: symptoms, diagnostic methods and current treatment options.
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Pancreatic Cancer: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Current Treatment Options
Sources reviewed by: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali OğulLast updated: October 2026
Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that develops from the pancreas, the gland that produces digestive enzymes and insulin, and it is often noticed late because its course is frequently insidious. Correct staging, genetic testing and treatment carried out by an experienced team form the basis of the roadmap in this disease.
Key information
| Definition | A malignant tumour arising from the pancreatic ducts (mostly ductal adenocarcinoma) |
|---|---|
| Main risks | Smoking, excess weight, long-standing diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, BRCA1/2 and PALB2 |
| Common symptoms | Jaundice, abdominal and back pain, weight loss, new-onset diabetes |
| Diagnosis | Pancreas-protocol CT, MRI, endoscopic ultrasound and biopsy, CA 19-9 |
| Treatment | Surgery, chemotherapy, PARP inhibitor in selected patients, supportive treatments |
What is pancreatic cancer?
The great majority of pancreatic cancers are ductal adenocarcinomas, which develop from the cells lining the pancreatic ducts. Neuroendocrine tumours arising from hormone-producing cells have a different course and treatment; this article is about adenocarcinoma [1][4].
What causes pancreatic cancer? Risk factors
Smoking, excess weight, long-standing diabetes, chronic pancreatitis and older age are the main risk factors. In some cases there is a familial predisposition; alterations in the BRCA2, BRCA1, PALB2, ATM, CDKN2A genes and Lynch syndrome can increase the risk [2].
How common is pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is not as common as lung or colorectal cancer; however, because it causes no symptoms in the early period, it is usually detected at an advanced stage [1][3]. The risk rises with age; about two-thirds of patients are diagnosed at 65 years or older [2].
What are the symptoms of pancreatic cancer?
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), dark urine, pale stools, itching
- Pain in the upper abdomen radiating to the back
- Loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss
- Fatty, foul-smelling stools
- New-onset diabetes or worsening diabetes control
These symptoms can also occur in other diseases; the development of jaundice in particular requires urgent evaluation [3].
How is pancreatic cancer diagnosed?
Pancreas-protocol contrast-enhanced CT is the main method for diagnosis; MRI and biopsy guided by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) confirm the diagnosis. The CA 19-9 tumour marker cannot establish the diagnosis on its own, but it helps in monitoring treatment. The disease is classified as resectable, borderline resectable, locally advanced and metastatic [4].
Genetic and molecular tests
In every patient diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, inherited predisposition should be assessed; germline genetic testing should be discussed even when the family history is not marked [5]. Molecular tests on tumour tissue with NGS can reveal rare but targetable alterations such as MSI-high status, BRAF, NTRK or RET [1][4].
How is pancreatic cancer treated?
The treatment decision is made by evaluating the relationship of the tumour to the blood vessels, the extent of spread and the patient’s general health together. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Oğul’s approach is to evaluate patient files in a multidisciplinary tumour board with specialists in hepatopancreatobiliary surgery, gastroenterology, radiology and radiation oncology.
Resectable disease
Depending on the location of the tumour, a Whipple operation (pancreaticoduodenectomy) or a distal pancreatectomy is performed. After surgery, chemotherapy usually lasting six months (such as modified FOLFIRINOX) is recommended [4][6]. In borderline resectable disease, treatment is usually started with chemotherapy before surgery [4].
Locally advanced and metastatic disease
Combination chemotherapies such as FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine with nab-paclitaxel are the mainstay of treatment. In selected patients with an inherited BRCA mutation who respond to platinum-containing treatment, maintenance treatment with the PARP inhibitor olaparib is an option; immunotherapy can be considered in MSI-high tumours [1][4]. Daraxonrasib, an oral drug that targets the KRAS alteration found in about nine in ten pancreatic cancers, received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2026 for advanced disease in previously treated patients; access in Türkiye needs to be assessed separately [1].
Supportive treatments
In jaundice, a bile duct stent, pancreatic enzyme supplements for digestion, pain control and nutritional support are an integral part of treatment [1].
Latest regulatory updates for this cancer type: Pancreatic Cancer: Latest Developments
Side effects and follow-up during treatment
Intensive chemotherapy regimens can cause fatigue, diarrhoea, a fall in blood counts and numbness in the nerves; these are managed with dose adjustments and supportive treatments. After treatment, regular follow-up is done with examination, CA 19-9 and imaging.
Can pancreatic cancer be prevented?
Quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk [2]. There is no screening method for the general population; in people with a familial or genetic risk, surveillance programmes in specialist centres can be considered [2][5].
Frequently asked questions
No. CA 19-9 can also rise in benign conditions such as bile duct obstruction and pancreatitis. The diagnosis is made by imaging and biopsy [4].
Call +90 530 250 54 85 or write to the same number via WhatsApp. The outpatient clinic is open Monday to Friday, 08:00–16:00.
At the medical oncology outpatient clinic of Mersin University Faculty of Medicine Oncology Hospital, Çiftlikköy Campus, 33110 Yenişehir/Mersin, Türkiye. The assessment is done in person.
When needed, yes. The multidisciplinary tumour board meets every Friday from 09:00 to 13:00, and the sequence of surgery, radiotherapy and drug treatment is planned jointly.
Yes. A second opinion is a common way to clarify a treatment plan. Bring your pathology, imaging and discharge reports to the clinic for the assessment.
Pathology report, imaging reports and, if possible, the image CDs, discharge summary, recent blood tests and a list of the medicines you take. Translated copies are helpful if your documents are not in Turkish or English.
Medical oncology consultation for pancreatic cancer in Mersin
If you have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, or your diagnostic work-up is ongoing, you can apply for a medical oncology consultation with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Oğul at Mersin University Faculty of Medicine Oncology Hospital (Çiftlikköy Campus, 33110 Yenişehir/Mersin, Türkiye). Medical oncology covers the planning of drug treatments such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and hormone therapy, the monitoring of side effects and follow-up after treatment. The hospital has a day treatment unit where drug treatments are given.
Treatment decisions are made by a team. When needed, patient files are discussed at the multidisciplinary tumour board, which meets every Friday from 09:00 to 13:00 with specialists from the relevant departments.
For appointments, call +90 530 250 54 85 or send a WhatsApp message to the same number with your name, diagnosis and reason for the request; you can also send your reports. The outpatient clinic is open Monday to Friday, 08:00–16:00. No diagnosis or treatment recommendation is given via WhatsApp; the assessment takes place in person at the clinic. Consultations are held in Turkish.
Appointment
Evaluation and second opinion
If you have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer or would like a second opinion on your treatment plan, you can contact Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Oğul with your imaging and pathology reports and genetic test results.
This content is for information only; please consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.
References
- National Cancer Institute (NCI). Pancreatic Cancer Treatment. Accessed: October 2026. https://www.cancer.gov/types/pancreatic/treatment
- National Cancer Institute (NCI). Pancreatic Cancer: Causes and Risk Factors. Accessed: October 2026. https://www.cancer.gov/types/pancreatic/causes-risk-factors
- American Cancer Society (ACS). Signs and Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer. Last revised: 05.02.2024. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/pancreatic-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-and-symptoms.html
- Conroy T, et al. Pancreatic cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Ann Oncol. 2023;34(11):987-1002. DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2023.08.009
- Stoffel EM, et al. Evaluating Susceptibility to Pancreatic Cancer: ASCO Provisional Clinical Opinion. J Clin Oncol. 2019;37(2):153-164. DOI: 10.1200/JCO.18.01489
- Conroy T, et al. FOLFIRINOX or Gemcitabine as Adjuvant Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer. N Engl J Med. 2018;379(25):2395-2406. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1809775
Links open external sources. The references were accessible as of October 2026.