Pancreatic cancer occurs when malignant cells develop in the part of the pancreas. This may affect how the pancreas works, including the functioning of the exocrine or endocrine glands.
It can occur in any part of the pancreas, but about 70% of pancreatic cancers are located in the head of the pancreas.
Cancer can also spread to nearby lymph nodes (part of the immune system), blood vessels or nerves. Cancer cells may travel through the bloodstream to other parts of the body, such as the liver.
