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Pancreatic cancer

Last reviewed: 4 Apr 2025
Last updated: 19 Nov 2024

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • jaundice
  • nonspecific upper abdominal pain or discomfort
  • weight loss and anorexia
  • back pain
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • age 65-74 years
  • steatorrhea
  • thirst, polyuria, nocturia, and weight loss
  • nausea, vomiting, and early satiety
  • unexplained acute pancreatitis
  • hepatomegaly
  • epigastric abdominal mass
  • positive Courvoisier sign
  • petechiae, purpura, bruising
  • Trousseau sign (migratory thrombophlebitis)
Full details

Risk factors

  • smoking
  • family history of pancreatic cancer
  • other hereditary cancer syndromes
  • chronic sporadic pancreatitis
  • diabetes mellitus
  • obesity
  • dietary factors
Full details

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • pancreatic protocol CT
  • abdominal ultrasound
  • LFTs
Full details

Tests to consider

  • prothrombin time (PT)
  • CBC
  • cancer antigen (CA)19-9 biomarker
  • positron emission tomography
  • endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
  • MRI
  • magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography
  • endoscopic ultrasound
  • staging laparoscopy (with laparoscopic ultrasound)
  • biopsy
Full details

Emerging tests

  • genomic testing

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

resectable (stages 1 and 2)

locally advanced unresectable (stage 3)

metastatic (stage 4)

Contributors

Authors

Hemant M. Kocher, MBBS, MS, MD, FRCS

Professor of Liver and Pancreas Surgery

Barts Cancer Institute

Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry

London

UK

Disclosures

HMK is an author of a number of references cited in this topic. HMK has received research grants from Bristol-Myers-Squibb (formerly Celgene) for investigator-initiated clinical trials. HMK has unrestricted educational grants from Meril, Mylan, Medtronics, and Ethicon.

Acknowledgements

Dr Hemant M. Kocher wishes to gratefully acknowledge Dr Fieke E.M. Froeling, a previous contributor to this topic.

Disclosures

FEMF is an author of a reference cited in this topic.

Peer reviewers

Ross Carter, FRCS

Consultant Pancreatic Surgeon

West of Scotland Pancreatic Unit

Glasgow Royal Infirmary

Glasgow

UK

Disclosures

Not disclosed.

Nikhil I. Khushalani, MD

Assistant Professor of Oncology

Roswell Park Cancer Institute

Buffalo

NY

Disclosures

NIK has received funding for the conduction of clinical trials and associated translational studies from Merck, Pfizer, and Astra-Zeneca. NIK has a grant from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (from research support by Roche).

References

Our in-house evidence and editorial teams collaborate with international expert contributors and peer reviewers to ensure that we provide access to the most clinically relevant information possible.

Key articles

National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology: pancreatic adenocarcinoma [internet publication].Full text

Conroy T, Pfeiffer P, Vilgrain V, et al. Pancreatic cancer: ESMO clinical practice guideline for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Ann Oncol. 2023 Nov;34(11):987-1002.Full text  Abstract

Sohal DPS, Kennedy EB, Cinar P, et al. Metastatic pancreatic cancer: ASCO guideline update. J Clin Oncol. 2020 Aug 5:JCO2001364.Full text  Abstract

Von Hoff DD, Ervin T, Arena FP, et al. Increased survival in pancreatic cancer with nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine. N Engl J Med. 2013 Oct 31;369(18):1691-703.Full text  Abstract

Conroy T, Desseigne F, Ychou M, et al. FOLFIRINOX versus gemcitabine for metastatic pancreatic cancer. N Engl J Med. 2011 May 12;364(19):1817-25.Full text  Abstract

Balaban EP, Mangu PB, Khorana AA, et al. Locally advanced, unresectable pancreatic cancer: American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical practice guideline. J Clin Oncol. 2016 Aug 1;34(22):2654-68.Full text  Abstract

Reference articles

A full list of sources referenced in this topic is available to users with access to all of BMJ Best Practice.
  • Pancreatic cancer images
  • Differentials

    • Chronic pancreatitis
    • Bile duct stones
    • Ampullary carcinoma
    More Differentials
  • Guidelines

    • NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology: pancreatic adenocarcinoma​
    • ERCP-related adverse events
    More Guidelines
  • Patient information

    Pancreatic cancer

    Pancreas cancer: questions to ask your doctor

    More Patient information
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