Pancreatic cancers are mostly formed in exocrine cells. These tumors are hard to diagnose early as they do not present signs and symptoms early and there is no secretion of hormones that can be detected. Current treatments of radiation and chemotherapy do not cure the exocrine pancreatic cancer for most patients. Certain malignant pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, such as islet cell tumors, have a better outcome than pancreatic exocrine cancers.

In India, the death rate is 1.18 of 10 in case of pancreatic cancer and the treatment depends on the location and stage of the cancer. Overall health and personal preferences of the patients also play a role in the treatment outcome. Surgically, the pancreatic tumors can be removed in the pancreatic head, tail and body. High-energy beams, such as X-rays, are used to destroy the cancerous cells under radiation therapy. In chemotherapy, drugs are used to help kill cancer cells.

Pancreatic cancer is resistant to many standard treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It does not cause symptoms initially and grows insidiously. Painless jaundice, a yellowish skin discoloration with no other symptoms is the classic presentation of pancreatic cancer. Different radiographic imaging techniques are usually used to make diagnosis.

Pancreatic cancer can be cured by surgical resection if detected in the early stages but this is not the case usually as it is detected only later. At later stages, the quality of life can be improved by controlling symptoms and complications as a part of the treatment.