Overview
Accessory pancreas, also called ectopic pancreas, heterotopic pancreas, or pancreatic rest, is a condition where a small piece of pancreatic tissue grows in an abnormal location in the body — separate from the main pancreas. This extra tissue most often appears in the stomach, small intestine (especially the duodenum or jejunum), or the esophagus, but it can show up almost anywhere in the digestive tract. The tissue looks and acts like normal pancreatic tissue, but because it is in the wrong place, it can sometimes cause problems. Many people with accessory pancreas never have any symptoms and never know they have it. The condition is often found by accident during surgery, an endoscopy, or imaging done for another reason. When symptoms do occur, they can include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or signs of a blockage in the digestive tract. In rare cases, the extra tissue can become inflamed, bleed, or even develop into a cyst or tumor. Treatment is usually only needed if the accessory pancreas is causing symptoms. In those cases, surgical removal of the extra tissue is the most common approach and is generally very effective. Most people who have surgery do very well afterward. Because this condition is usually harmless and often goes undetected, the overall outlook for people with accessory pancreas is excellent.
Key symptoms:
Stomach pain or cramping, especially in the upper abdomenNausea and vomitingFeeling full quickly after eatingBloating or discomfort after mealsUnexplained weight lossSigns of a digestive tract blockage, such as inability to keep food downBleeding in the digestive tract (dark or bloody stools)Inflammation in the area where the extra tissue is locatedA lump or mass felt in the abdomen (rare)Symptoms similar to peptic ulcer disease
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
3 eventsRezolute — PHASE3
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — NA
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
1 availableAcetylcysteine
adjuvant therapy for patients with abnormal, viscid, or inspissated mucous secretions in tracheostomy care
Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Accessory pancreas at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Accessory pancreas.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Accessory pancreas.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Accessory pancreas
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Zanzalintinib Versus Everolimus in Participants With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Accessory pancreas
New recruiting trial: A Study of Radiation Therapy to Treat Solid Tumor Cancer That Has Spread to Soft Tissue
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Accessory pancreas
New recruiting trial: Microbiota and Pancreatic Cancer Cachexia
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Accessory pancreas
New recruiting trial: A Phase 3 Study of Ersodetug in Patients With Tumor Hyperinsulinism
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Accessory pancreas
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Does my accessory pancreas need to be removed, or can we monitor it over time?,What symptoms should prompt me to seek urgent medical care?,What are the risks of leaving it in place versus having surgery?,Is there any risk that this tissue could become cancerous over time?,How often should I have follow-up imaging or endoscopy?,Will this condition affect my diet or lifestyle in any way?,Could any family members be at risk for this condition?
Common questions about Accessory pancreas
What is Accessory pancreas?
Accessory pancreas, also called ectopic pancreas, heterotopic pancreas, or pancreatic rest, is a condition where a small piece of pancreatic tissue grows in an abnormal location in the body — separate from the main pancreas. This extra tissue most often appears in the stomach, small intestine (especially the duodenum or jejunum), or the esophagus, but it can show up almost anywhere in the digestive tract. The tissue looks and acts like normal pancreatic tissue, but because it is in the wrong place, it can sometimes cause problems. Many people with accessory pancreas never have any symptoms an
How is Accessory pancreas inherited?
Accessory pancreas follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Which specialists treat Accessory pancreas?
14 specialists and care centers treating Accessory pancreas are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.