Pancreatic cancer occurs in the pancreas. In the U.S. in 2015, it’s estimated that about 48,960 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and about 40,560 people will die of pancreatic cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Pancreatic cancer accounts for about 3 percent of all cancer cases, and about 7 percent of cancer deaths.

Signs and Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer

Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer don’t often occur until the disease is in an advanced stage. When they do appear, they may include:

• Upper abdominal pain that is new, significant, and chronic (may be relieved by leaning forward)
• Back pain
• Jaundice (yellowing of your skin/eyes, dark urine)
• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained, significant weight loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Faint indigestion
• New onset of diabetes
• Fatigue
• Blood clots

There are two types of pancreatic cancer: Exocrine tumors and endocrine tumors. Exocrine tumors are the most common type and make up about 90 percent of pancreatic cancers. Endocrine tumors are much less common and make up about 2 to 5 percent of pancreatic cancers.

The cause of pancreatic cancer is unknown. However, there are risk factors that may increase a person’s risk for developing the disease:

• Excess body weight or obesity.
• Smoking. Research shows smoking increases your risk for developing pancreatic cancer.
• Chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Long-term inflammation of the pancreas has been linked to pancreatic cancer.
• Being African-American.
• Age. Risk of developing pancreatic cancer increases with age.
• Family history of pancreatic cancer.
• Diabetes. May increase risk of developing pancreatic cancer.