Your guide to pancreatic cancer treatment

Pancreatic cancer arises from abnormal cells within the pancreas, an important organ in your digestive system, located behind your stomach. The pancreas produces digestive juices (to help break down food) and hormones such as insulin (to control blood sugar). Most pancreatic cancers begin in the exocrine cells, which make digestive juices, but less commonly, they can arise in the hormone-producing (endocrine) cells. Pancreatic cancer increases with certain risk factors, such as age, family history, chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, smoking, and obesity.

Cancer cells differ from normal pancreatic cells because they grow and divide uncontrollably. Most pancreatic cancers are malignant, but understanding the type (including whether the cancer started in the exocrine or endocrine pancreas) and the grade, how much the cells look like healthy tissue, directly affects your prognosis and treatment plan.

Early pancreatic cancer often produces no symptoms and can go unnoticed until the disease has progressed. However, as a tumour grows, common symptoms may include:

• Persistent pain in your upper abdomen or back
• Jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes)
• Unexplained weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Changes in bowel habits, such as pale or floating stools
• Tiredness or weakness
• Onset of diabetes, or difficulty controlling existing diabetes

Because these symptoms are often vague and can relate to other non-cancerous conditions, it’s important to speak with your medical team if you notice anything unusual. They will organise investigations, such as blood tests and scans, to confirm the diagnosis and assess whether cancer has spread to lymph nodes, blood vessels, or other organs.

While the exact cause of pancreatic cancer is often unknown, several factors can increase your risk:

• Age: Risk increases after age 60
• Smoking: Significantly increases risk
• Chronic pancreatitis: Ongoing inflammation of the pancreas
• Family history: Close relatives with pancreatic cancer or inherited conditions (such as BRCA mutations)
• Diabetes: Especially new-onset diabetes in older adults
• Obesity and unhealthy diet: Excess body weight and poor nutrition increase risk
• Certain inherited genetic syndromes, Such as Lynch syndrome

Having one or more risk factors does not mean you will definitely develop pancreatic cancer, but it may prompt more frequent screening or earlier investigations if symptoms arise.

Treatment for pancreatic cancer depends on the type, stage, grade, location, and whether the cancer has spread, as well as your general health:

• Surgery: The most effective treatment, involving the removal of part or all of the pancreas if the tumour can be safely removed (resectable). Surgery may also involve removing parts of nearby organs if required.
• Chemotherapy: Used before or after surgery, or as the main treatment if surgery is not possible, to shrink or control cancer and relieve symptoms.
• Targeted therapies and immunotherapy: Certain newer drugs are available for some people, targeting the cancer cells specifically or helping your immune system to fight cancer.
• Radiotherapy: May be used to control symptoms in certain cases, especially if the cancer cannot be removed.
• Supportive and palliative care: Focuses on managing symptoms, such as pain, digestion, or jaundice, and maintaining your comfort and wellbeing at any stage.

Your multidisciplinary team will design a personalised treatment plan to support you and your family, including access to clinical trials for promising new therapies where suitable.

Private pancreatic cancer treatment costs vary depending on the type of treatment, the stage of your cancer, the duration, and the facility. Costs often include consultations, diagnostic scans (like CT or MRI), biopsy procedures, surgery, chemotherapy, medication, and ongoing care at home. The cost can also depend on whether you receive care in a hospital or at home, join clinical trials, or need long-term symptom management.

Private medical insurance may cover a substantial portion of your care, though coverage levels vary for surgery, drug treatments, and clinic appointments. Many people combine funding sources for comprehensive care. Discuss your options with your healthcare provider so you fully understand the costs and choices available.

Yes, certain aspects of pancreatic cancer care, including some forms of chemotherapy and supportive care, can be safely provided in your home. Home-based care may include:

• Intravenous or oral therapies are administered by experienced oncology nurses
• Symptom management, including support for pain, digestion, jaundice, and nutrition
• Regular blood monitoring and physical assessments
• Palliative and end-of-life care support

Our specialist team delivers home-based pancreatic cancer care to help you stay in control, supported, and comfortable, while maintaining clinical excellence. Home care reduces travel, provides flexibility, and helps you maintain your routine and spend quality time with loved ones.

For nearly three decades, we have pioneered out-of-hospital cancer care, ensuring people with pancreatic cancer receive high-quality treatment wherever they are most comfortable.