The pancreas is an oblong-shaped organ located deep in the middle of the upper stomach region. Cancer of the pancreas is the result of malignant cell changes, usually in the head of the gland.

Over the last 20 years the number of new cases of pancreatic cancer has remained steady.The disease is more common in the elderly, and men are more prone to it than women.

Because the initial symptoms are very faint, cancer of the pancreas is detected usually only at a late stage. The first symptoms include loss of appetite, a loathing of food and weight loss, though these symptoms may be caused by other factors. Other symptoms that may appear include fatigue, jaundice, vomiting and diarrhoea. Abdominal pain may also be present.

A deep, piercing pain in the top part of the stomach, radiating to the back, may stem from the pancreas, though such pain is often due to much more benign conditions.

Finally, some individuals develop diabetes as a first symptom.