"Due to its deep position, most pancreatic tumours are hard to locate. It is one of the reasons why the cancer isn’t detected until it advances and starts producing symptoms."

Where is the tumour?

Dr Prasad Narayanan Nov 26, 2016

Pancreas is a vital part of our digestive system and performs two functions. It secretes enzymes that aid digestion (exocrine function) and regulates blood glucose level by secreting the hormones insulin and glucagon (endocrine function). 

The organ is anatomically broken down into the head, body and tail. The widest part of the pancreas, the head, is located near the stomach and the duodenum, towards the centre of your abdomen. The tail of the pancreas is thinner and is to the left of the abdomen. Due to its deep position, most pancreatic tumours are hard to locate. It is one of the reasons why the cancer isn’t detected until it advances and starts producing symptoms.