In addition to diabetes and insulin resistance, there are a variety of diseases and conditions that may affect the pancreas, including:

• Pancreatitis. Inflammation of the pancreas that can be either acute or chronic. It occurs when digestive enzymes activate while still inside the pancreas and start digesting the pancreas itself. This disease increases the risk of developing diabetes. Excess use of alcohol is a major cause of pancreatitis and, according to some studies, may be a risk factor for pancreatic cancer.
  
  
• Pancreatic cancer. A serious form of cancer that spreads quickly and is rarely found in its early stages. Risk factors for pancreatic cancer include diabetes and pancreatitis. Symptoms include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes), abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss. Treatment is surgical removal of the tumors, if caught early enough.
  
  
• Insulinoma. A tumor of the beta cells, usually benign (noncancerous). Insulinomas cause the pancreas to make excess insulin (hyperinsulinemia), which can cause hypoglycemia.
  
  
• Cystic fibrosis (CF). A genetic disorder in which the body produces thick mucus that interferes with respiratory function and the exocrine system of the pancreas (involving digestive substances and enzymes). As this mucus blocks the pancreatic ducts, it prevents digestive enzymes from reaching the small intestine, which leads to malnutrition and insufficient digestion. A common complication of CF is cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD), which has some features of type 1 diabetes and some features of type 2 diabetes.
  
  
• Pancreatic cysts. Sacs of fluid that form in the pancreas and are usually caused by pancreatitis.
  
  
• Pancreatic insufficiency. A condition in which the pancreas fails to make enough enzymes for proper digestion. It is not a disease itself, but a sign of another problem. It can result in malabsorption (ineffective nutrient absorption by the intestines), weight loss and diarrhea.
  
  
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. A rare condition in which tumors (known as gastrinomas) form in the pancreas or the duodenum. The gastrinomas secrete the hormone gastrin in large amounts, causing heavy acid production and peptic ulcers.
  
  
• Shwachman-Diamond syndrome. A rare condition characterized by improper functioning of pancreatic cells. This condition, which affects people of all ages, is the second most common cause of pancreatic insufficiency in children. It is sometimes mistaken for CF, the leading cause of pancreatic insufficiency in this population.