There are a variety of diseases and conditions that may affect the pancreas. The pancreas is located deep in the body against the spine, and this can hamper a physician’s efforts to diagnose diseases of the pancreas. Disorders of the pancreas include:

• Diabetes. A condition resulting from a deficiency of insulin, a hormone that is essential in the regulation of glucose (blood sugar) in the body. Normally, the beta cells in the pancreas continually produce a steady amount of insulin (known as baseline, basal or background insulin) that is just enough to move glucose into cells. Insulin production automatically increases when the body senses higher levels of glucose circulating in the blood, such as just after a meal. However, damage to the beta cells can interfere with insulin production. Without insulin, glucose levels can rise to harmful levels and lead to diabetes.
  
  
• 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. In some cases, pancreatitis may be caused if a gallstone blocks a pancreatic duct. Alcohol overuse can cause acute and chronic pancreatitis.
  
  

  

• Pancreatic cancer. A serious form of cancer because it spreads quickly and is rarely found in its early stages. 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 they are detected early enough.
  
  
• • 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). Because this mucus blocks the pancreatic ducts, it prevents digestive enzymes from reaching the small intestine, which leads to malnutrition and insufficient digestion.
    
    
  • 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. Chronic pancreatitis is the most common cause of pancreatic insufficiency in adults. It can result in malabsorption (ineffective nutrient absorption by the intestines), unexplained weight loss and diarrhea.
    
    
  • Pancreatic cysts. Sacs of fluid that form in the pancreas and are usually caused by pancreatitis.
    
    
  • Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome. A rare condition characterized by improper functioning of the cells of the pancreas. 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.
    

• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. A rare condition in which tumors (including gastrinomas) form in the pancreas or the duodenum. Gastrinomas secrete the hormone gastrin in large amounts, causing excess acid production and peptic ulcers.