Why the pancreas’ hidden location makes pancreatic cancer so misunderstood

Pancreatic cancer accounts for about 3 percent of all cancers, but it causes around 7 percent of all cancer deaths. In 2022, the World Health Organization estimated roughly 500,000 new cases and 470,000 deaths from pancreatic cancer, making it the sixth most common cause of cancer death that year. That’s almost a one-to-one ratio, meaning most people diagnosed don’t survive long-term. " It is one of the cancer types with the least favourable prognosis," the WHO has said. Part of the reason pancreatic cancer is so deadly is that it’s sneaky. Early stages rarely show symptoms. When people notice pain, jaundice, or unexplained weight loss, the cancer is often already advanced. Screening isn’t easy. “Pancreatic cancer is a disease that begins in the pancreas, an organ that helps regulate our digestion and blood sugar levels. This type of cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow in the pancreas and form tumours that often arise in the ducts that carry digestive enzymes. In other types of pancreatic tumor (Neuroendocrine tumor/ NET), the cancer cells interfere with hormones such as insulin and glucagon produced by the pancreas to regulate blood sugar. As the cancer cells start to grow, people suffering from the disease experience symptoms like weight loss, pain in the back and abdomen, jaundice, dark urine, pale stools and issues with digestion,” says Dr. Raghavendra Nagaraja, Senior Consultant – GI & HPB Surgery, Liver Transplantation, KIMS Hospitals, Bangalore.“Because the organ is deep inside the body, these symptoms often appear late. Furthermore, myths surrounding the disease also delay awareness and prevent early intervention, which impacts the outcomes. The pancreas is closely related to main blood vessels supplying the whole of the small intestine, stomach and liver. When cancers arising from them present late, they end up involving these blood vessels making them not amenable to curative treatment,” he explains. Heart disease hits men 10 years earlier than women, study warns: By their mid-30s, many men are already at risk of heart diseaseWorld Cancer Day 2026: The tests you keep postponing could actually save your lifeYour diet looks healthy, your body says otherwise: Micronutrient deficiency nobody talks aboutNovember is observed as Pancreatic cancer awareness month to educate people about the disease and to debunk the myths associated with it. Dr. Raghavendra Nagaraja sheds light on the common myths associated with pancreatic cancer. “Pancreatic cancer progresses silently. The absence of dramatic symptoms in the early stages can lead to false reassurance. Recognising patterns instead of isolated symptoms is critical, especially when changes persist over time. Early recognition is important since it helps them get curative treatment,” he has urged people. Medical experts consulted This article includes expert inputs shared with TOI Health by: Dr. Raghavendra Nagaraja, Senior Consultant – GI & HPB Surgery, Liver Transplantation, KIMS Hospitals, BangaloreInputs were used to explain why pancreatic cancer is detected so late and what are the subtle symptoms one should pay attention to.