With the low rates of curable pancreatic cancer and the majority of patients palliated, it is likely that their current symptoms will worsen progressively, and this should be managed following discussion by a multidisciplinary team in consultation with palliative care specialists.

Some patients will have metastatic disease on initial presentation. Others may present with symptoms of recurrent disease after a previous cancer diagnosis. Access to the best available therapies, including clinical trials, as well as treatment overseen by a multidisciplinary team, are crucial to achieving the best outcomes for anyone with metastatic disease.

Signs and symptoms will depend on the type of cancer initially diagnosed and the location of metastatic disease. They may be discovered by the patient or by surveillance in the post-treatment period. Symptoms can often present as weight loss, jaundice and abdominal pain.