Pancreatic tumours can be confusing because they affect two critical body functions: digestion and blood sugar regulation. When something goes wrong in this small organ, people may notice unexplained changes in weight, appetite, energy levels, or mood. That uncertainty can be deeply unsettling.
The pancreas quietly produces digestive enzymes that aid in breaking down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, and it also secretes hormones that help maintain blood sugar within a healthy range. Tumours in this area can impair one or both of these functions, which is why symptoms can vary significantly from person to person. Some people struggle more with digestion, while others notice fluctuations in blood sugar resembling new or worsening diabetes.
Understanding how different tumours behave helps patients and families comprehend their symptoms and the reasons behind extensive medical testing. It also provides context for decisions about surgery, medication, and other forms of care, including treatment for pancreatic cancer when malignant disease is present. Knowing the basics cannot replace professional medical advice, but it can make the journey feel less overwhelming.
How the pancreas normally works
In a healthy body, the pancreas has two main jobs that work side by side every day. Its exocrine cells produce digestive enzymes that enter the small intestine to aid in breaking down food, while its endocrine cells in the islets of Langerhans release hormones that regulate blood sugar. Because these functions are closely tied to digestion and energy, any disruption can significantly affect daily life.
Digestive enzymes and exocrine tumours
Most pancreatic cancers originate in the exocrine cells responsible for producing digestive enzymes. When these cells become cancerous, they can obstruct ducts, reduce enzyme production, and disrupt normal digestion, even before a firm diagnosis is made. People may notice oily stools, unintended weight loss, or early satiety because their body is not properly absorbing nutrients.
Over time, untreated exocrine disease can lead to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, in which the pancreas produces insufficient enzymes. This can cause persistent diarrhea, vitamin deficiencies, and fatigue, which may be mistaken for common digestive issues or stress. Doctors often manage this aspect of the illness with prescription enzyme supplements taken with meals, along with nutritional support to maintain strength and body weight.
Hormones, blood sugar, and endocrine tumours
The endocrine cells of the pancreas make hormones such as insulin and glucagon, which work together to keep blood sugar steady. Tumours that arise from these hormone-producing cells are called pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours, and some of them secrete excess hormones. When this occurs, blood sugar can fluctuate dangerously high or low, leading to symptoms that may be easily misinterpreted initially.
Insulin producing tumours, called insulinomas, lower blood sugar, which can cause shakiness, confusion, blurred vision, or even fainting, especially when a person has been fasting. Glucagon producing tumours and some somatostatin producing tumours raise blood sugar and may be linked with diabetes, weight loss, and other metabolic changes. Because these symptoms overlap with common conditions, careful blood tests and imaging are often needed to find the real cause.
When both digestion and sugar control are affected
In some people, tumours or advanced disease impact both digestive enzyme production and hormone regulation simultaneously. For example, pancreatic cancer in the exocrine cells can damage nearby hormone producing tissue, leading to newly diagnosed diabetes along with weight loss and digestive problems. This combination can be especially challenging, because the body is struggling both to absorb nutrients and regulate blood sugar effectively.
Managing these overlapping problems usually involves a combination of treatments, such as enzyme replacement therapy, medication to control blood sugar, and targeted therapy or surgery for the tumour itself. The care team may include oncologists, endocrinologists, surgeons, and dietitians working together to develop a plan tailored to the person’s symptoms, stage of disease, and overall health. When patients understand the reasons for seeing multiple specialists, it can make the process feel more coordinated and less overwhelming.
Treatment, monitoring, and living with these tumours
Living with a tumour that affects digestion, blood sugar, or both often requires adapting daily routines and monitoring the body’s signals more closely. For some neuroendocrine tumours, surgery can remove the growth and restore blood sugar toward normal levels, particularly in insulinomas where symptoms often improve after the tumour is excised. In other cases, medications such as somatostatin analogues or targeted therapies may help regulate hormone release and slow tumour growth over time.
Follow up care usually includes regular blood tests to monitor hormone levels, imaging scans to track tumour size, and appointments to adjust medications or enzyme therapy. When digestion is affected, nutritional support, vitamin assessments, and practical guidance on meal timing and food choices can significantly improve comfort and energy. When blood sugar is unstable, tools such as glucose meters or continuous glucose monitors may be recommended to allow patients to respond promptly to highs or lows.
Even though the word tumour can be frightening, not all pancreatic tumours behave the same way, and some grow slowly or respond well to treatment. Talking openly with the care team about symptoms, fears, and daily challenges helps them adapt the plan as life changes. Anyone who notices ongoing digestive changes, unexplained weight loss, or sudden shifts in blood sugar deserves timely evaluation so that if a serious problem is present, it can be addressed as early and thoughtfully as possible.
