Based on the type of cell in which the tumor starts, pancreatic tumors are either exocrine or neuroendocrine (endocrine) tumors.
Pancreatic Exocrine Tumors
About 94 percent of pancreatic cancers are exocrine tumors. They start in the exocrine cells of the pancreas, which produce enzymes that help with digestion.
Here are several types of exocrine tumor:
- Adenocarcinoma
- Acinar cell carcinoma
- Intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasm (IPMN)
- Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma
Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (PNETs)
About 6 percent of pancreatic tumors are neuroendocrine tumors (pancreatic NETs or PNETs), also called islet cell tumors. They often grow slower than exocrine tumors.
PNETs are classified by the hormones they make. Common PNET types are:
- Gastrinoma (gastrin)
- Glucaganoma (glucagon)
- Insulinoma (insulin)
- Somatostatinoma (somatostatin)
- VIPoma (vasoactive intestinal peptide)
- Nonfunctional Islet Cell Tumor (no hormones)
Keyword: common pancreatic tumor
