Pancreatic Cancer

Types

The pancreas has two main types of cells, exocrine and endocrine. Each type can form different malignancies or benign tumors. In addition, tumors can spread to the pancreas from other organs. Advanced technology has helped physicians recognize more cystic tumors of the pancreas. Although many tumors are benign, one cystic tumor — the intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm — is premalignant and warrants aggressive treatment.

Exocrine Cell Tumors

Pancreatic exocrine cells typically form adenocarcinomas, malignancies that start in the ducts of the pancreas. About 95 percent of pancreatic cancers develop from exocrine cells and are adenocarcinomas. Other less common types of exocrine cell cancers include:

• Mucinous noncystic carcinoma
• Adenosquamous carcinomas
• Mucinous cyst adenocarcinoma
• Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma

Physicians base treatment plans for exocrine pancreatic cancer on how far the cancer has spread, rather than its exact type. Benign tumors of the exocrine cells are called cystadenomas.

Endocrine Cell Tumors

Tumors that form from endocrine cells of the pancreas are less common and more likely to be benign than exocrine cell tumors. Known as neuroendocrine tumors or islet cell tumors, they are named based on the hormone that they produce. Tumors that develop from endocrine cells that are not hormonally active are called nonfunctioning islet tumors.