Pancreatic carcinoma typically arises from the exocrine pancreas and is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in men and women in the United States. Ductal adenocarcinoma and its subtypes represent 85% of all pancreatic cancers, with the remainder due to mucinous cystic neoplasms, pancreatoblastoma, serous cystadenoma, neuroendocrine tumors, and intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasms. Pancreatic cancer is more common in men than women, and incidence increases with advancing age.

Risk factors for development of pancreatic cancer include a personal history or first-degree relative with a specific germline variant or exocrine pancreatic cancer, hereditary pancreatitis, nonhereditary chronic pancreatitis, and cigarette use.

Patients typically present with advanced disease, as signs and symptoms can be very subtle, especially early in the disease. Classically described signs and symptoms include pain, jaundice, and weight loss.