pancreatic cancer: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Oct. 26, 2026

News •

Scientists discover how pancreatic cancer rewrites its DNA to escape treatment • Oct. 25, 2026, 7:02 AM ET (Science Daily)

Photos

An anatomical illustration of the human pancreas shows its location near the stomach and intestines, a detailed cross-section highlighting ducts and the islet of Langerhans, and an inset of pancreatic tissue histology with labeled alpha, beta, and delta cells.

Infographic with pie charts and bar graphs showing projected cancer incidence and mortality in the U.S. for 2025. Key cancers include breast, prostate, lung, and colon, with breakdowns by sex and cancer type. Lung cancer leads in deaths for both men and women.

See All Images →

Topics

pancreas cancer diabetes mellitus cystic fibrosis pancreatitis breast cancer prostate cancer colorectal cancer lung cancer bladder cancer cervical cancer ovarian cancer

A Yorkshire terrier dressed up as a veterinarian or doctor on a white background. (dogs)

A Visit with the Word Doctor: Medical Vocabulary Quiz

full human skeleton

Diseases, Disorders, and More: A Medical Quiz

44 Questions from Britannica’s Most Popular Health and Medicine Quizzes