Definition: Pancreas cancer is a type of cancer that affects the pancreas, an organ that produces hormones (like insulin) that control blood sugar, and digestive enzymes (like amylase) that break down nutrients during digestion.
Like other organs in the body, the pancreas is vulnerable to cancer. There are several types of pancreas cancer, the most common of which is adenocarcinoma.
Pancreas cancer is rare, with about 42,000 new cases arising in the United States each year. This disease often doesn't cause symptoms until a late stage, when treatment is less effective.
Also Known As: pancreatic cancer, pancan
