What is the pancreas?

Everyone has a pancreas (unless it has been removed).

The pancreas is often described as having a head, body and tail. It is surrounded by several important organs, such as the liver, and also by large blood vessels and lymph nodes (part of your immune system).

Diagram showing the pancreas and surrounding organs

Diagram showing the pancreas and surrounding blood vessels

Your pancreas does two main things.

It makes enzymes. Enzymes help to break down food so your body can absorb the nutrients from it. This is part of digestion.
It makes hormones, including insulin, which control sugar levels in the blood.

Pancreatic cancer can affect how well your pancreas works. You may have problems digesting your food and controlling sugar levels in your blood.