When you're navigating a pancreatic cancer diagnosis - whether you're living with the disease, supporting a loved one, or simply seeking to understand, it can feel like learning a whole new language. This glossary is here to guide you.
We’ve compiled clear definitions for the words and terms you’re most likely to encounter. From common medical terms to the specifics of pancreatic cancer treatment, our goal is to remove the complexity, so you can focus on what matters most.
A
Abdomen / Abdominal (Anatomy) - The part of the body between the ribs and the hips that contains organs such as the stomach, bowel, pancreas, liver and bladder.
Advanced Cancer (Cancer type) - Cancer that has spread from its original location to other parts of the body and can no longer be cured.
Adenocarcinoma (Cancer Type) - The most common type of pancreatic cancer. It begins in the cells lining the pancreatic duct, which produces enzymes that helps digest food.
Anaemia (Symptom) - A condition where there aren’t enough red blood cells or haemoglobin in the blood, leading to fatigue, breathlessness and pale skin.
Angiogenesis (Biology) - The process by which new blood vessels form in the body.
Ascites (Symptom) - A build-up of fluid in the abdomen, which can cause swelling and discomfort.
B
Benign Tumour (Cancer Type) - A growth of abnormal cells that is not cancerous and does not spread to other parts of the body.
Biopsy (Diagnostic) - The removal of tissue from the body for examination under a microscope to help determine the presence, cause or extent of a cancer.
Bowel Obstruction (Symptom) - A blockage in the intestines (bowel) that prevents the normal movement of stools through the body. It can be caused by the cancer and/or its treatment.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 (Genetics) - Inherited gene changes (mutation) that may increase the risk of certain cancers, including breast and pancreatic cancer.
C
CA125 Test (Diagnostic) - A blood test that measures levels of a protein called CA125 (cancer antigen 125). CA125 is a type of tumour marker. High levels can indicate some cancers, including pancreatic cancer.
CA19-9 Test (Diagnostic) - A test that checks levels of CA19-9 (cancer antigen 19-9) protein in the blood. CA19-9 is a type of tumour marker often used to help monitor pancreatic cancer.
CEA Test (Diagnostic) - A test that measures a protein called CEA (cancer antigen CEA) in the blood. CEA is a type of tumour marker sometimes raised in pancreatic and other cancers.
Cancer (Cancer Type) - A disease where cells grow uncontrollably, forming a malignant growth called a tumour. If not treated, they can spread to other parts of the body.
Cells (Biology) - The building blocks of the body. Humans are made of trillions of cells that perform different functions in the body.
Chemotherapy (Treatment) - A treatment for cancer using drugs (chemical/cytotoxic substances) to destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells.
Clinical Trial (Research) - A carefully designed research study to test the safety and effectiveness of new treatments, therapies or tests to prevent, detect, treat or manage various diseases or medical conditions such as cancer.
Complementary Therapies (Supportive Care) - Treatments used alongside standard medical care to help manage symptoms and side effects.
CREON (Medication) - A prescription medicine used to treat exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI),a condition where the pancreas doesn't release enough digestive enzymes to break down and digest food. CREON works by replacing enzymes helping with food digestion.
D
Diabetes (Condition) - A condition where the body struggles to produce or respond to the hormone insulin causing abnormal absorption of carbohydrates and raised blood sugar levels.
DNA Deoxyribonucleic Acid (Genetics) - The genetic material found in all living organisms, carrying instructions for growth, development and function.
E
Endocrine Cells (Biology) - Cells that produce and release hormones directly into the bloodstream.
Enzyme (Biology) - A protein that helps speed up chemical reactions in the body, including digestion.
Exocrine Cells (Biology) - Cells in the pancreas that release digestive enzymes into the small intestine.
F
Family Cancer Centre (Support Service) - A place where genetic counsellors help people understand inherited cancer risks and discuss testing.
G
Genes (Genetics) - The basic units of heredity, passed from parents to children, that determine traits and may carry cancer risks if faulty.
Genetic (Genetics) - Related to genes. A genetic condition is caused by faults in genes and may be inherited.
Grade (Diagnostic) - Describes how similar cancer cells look to normal cells, helping predict how fast a cancer may grow. Grades are defined as well, moderately or poorly differentiated. Well-differentiated cancer cells look more like normal cells under a microscope and usually grow and spread more slowly than poorly differentiated or moderately differentiated.
I
Immunotherapy (Treatment) - A treatment that boosts the body's immune system to fight cancer.
J
Jaundice (Symptom) - Yellowing of the skin, whites of the eyes and mucous membranes caused by abnormally high levels of bilirubin in the blood, often seen in pancreatic cancer.
L
Local Lymph Node (Anatomy) - The first lymph node or group of nodes near a tumour where cancer may spread.
Lymph Nodes (Anatomy) - Small, bean-shaped structures that are part of the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system. The immune system filters harmful substances and protects the body against infections and parasites.
M
Malignant (Cancer Type) - Cancerous. Malignant cells can spread (metastasise) to other parts of the body and if not treated can cause death.
Medical Oncologist (Healthcare Provider) - A doctor who specialises in treating cancer using medication like chemotherapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy.
Metastasis (Cancer Type) - Cancer that has spread from the original tumour to other parts of the body.
N
Neuropathy Peripheral (Side Effect) - Numbness or tingling in hands or feet, often caused by certain cancer treatments.
O
Oncology Nurse (Healthcare Provider) - A nurse who specialises in supporting people diagnosed with cancer.
P
Palliative Care or Treatment (Supportive Care) - A holistic approach to care focused on relieving symptoms, providing emotional support and improving quality of life when an illness is no longer curable. Palliative care can be used alongside active treatment to help relieve symptoms and side effects.
Pancreas (Anatomy) - A gland located deep in the abdomen between the stomach and spine. It is about 15cm long and is described as having three parts - the head, body and tail. The pancreas has two main functions, to produce enzymes for digestion and hormones that control blood sugar levels.
Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma (Cancer Type) - The most common type of pancreatic cancer, usually starting in the ducts of the pancreas.
Pancreatitis (Condition) - Inflammation of the pancreas, often causing significant abdominal pain.
Pancrelipase (Medication) - An enzyme replacement therapy that helps break down food when the pancreas isn’t producing enough enzymes.
Primary Tumour (Cancer Type) - The original site where a cancer begins. In pancreatic cancer, the primary tumour is in the pancreas.
Prognosis (Medical Term) - A doctor's assessment about the likely outcome or course of a medical condition.
R
Radiotherapy (Treatment) - The treatment of disease, especially cancer using X-rays or similar forms of radiation to destroy cancer cells or shrink tumours.
Regional Lymph Node (Anatomy) - Lymph nodes near the original tumour that may be checked for cancer spread.
Resectable (Treatment Option) - A term used to describe a tumour that can be removed surgically.
S
Secondary Cancer (Cancer Type) - Cancer that has spread to a different part of the body from where it started. Also called metastasis.
Stage (Diagnostic) - Describes how advanced the cancer is and how it has spread in the body.
Staging (Diagnostic) - Tests and scans done to determine the stage of cancer. Important for deciding on the best treatment.
Supportive Care (Supportive Care) - May also be known as palliative care. Care that focuses on improving quality of life, including symptom relief and emotional support.
T
Tissue (Biology) - A group of similar cells that work together to carry out a specific function.
Tumour (Cancer Type) - A new or abnormal growth of tissue in or on the body that may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Tumour Marker (Diagnostic) - A chemical released from cancer cells that travels in the blood of a person when cancer is present.
W
Whipple Operation (Surgery) - Also known as a pancreaticoduodenectomy. A common surgical procedure for pancreatic cancer, especially when it is located in the head of the pancreas. It can also be used to treat tumours in the duodenum (a part of the small intestine) and bile ducts.
This glossary is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your healthcare team with any concerns.