Overview
Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma of the pancreas, often called IPMC or malignant IPMN (intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm), is a type of pancreatic cancer that starts inside the ducts of the pancreas — the tubes that carry digestive juices. It begins as a slow-growing, mucus-producing growth called an IPMN, which over time can turn into cancer. The pancreas sits behind the stomach and plays two important roles: helping digest food and controlling blood sugar. When cancer develops in its ducts, it can block the flow of digestive enzymes and affect how the whole organ works. People with IPMC may notice symptoms like belly pain, unexplained weight loss, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), or new-onset diabetes. Because these symptoms can be vague and easy to overlook, the cancer is sometimes found late. Imaging tests like MRI or CT scans, along with endoscopic procedures, are key to finding and monitoring these tumors. Treatment depends on how far the cancer has spread. Surgery to remove part or all of the pancreas is the main option when the cancer is caught early and has not spread. Chemotherapy and radiation may also be used. Compared to other types of pancreatic cancer, IPMC that is caught before it spreads widely tends to have a better outlook, making early detection very important.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Dull or aching pain in the upper belly or backUnexplained weight lossYellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)Pale or greasy stoolsDark urineNausea or vomitingLoss of appetiteNew or worsening diabetesFeeling full quickly when eatingOily or floating stools due to poor fat digestionFatigue and general weaknessItchy skin (related to jaundice)
Multifactorial
Caused by a mix of several genes and environmental factors
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsChanghai Hospital
Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova
Hôpital Fribourgeois
University of Auckland, New Zealand — NA
Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute — NA
IRCCS San Raffaele
Adenocyte, LLC
Changhai Hospital
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma of pancreas.
16 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →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 Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma of pancreas.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma of pancreas
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Exploring Biomarkers of the Carcinogenesis of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm (IPMN) of the Pancreas
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma of pancreas
New recruiting trial: ExoLuminate Study for Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma of pancreas
New recruiting trial: Identification of New Theranostic Biomarkers of Pancreatic Tumor Progression
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma of pancreas
New recruiting trial: Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy as an Imaging Biomarker for the Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cystic Lesions
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma of pancreas
New recruiting trial: Intent of Surgery for IPMN
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma of pancreas
New recruiting trial: Integration of Multiomics Markers for Invasive IPMNs Identification Through the Set-up of the INvasive Cyst bIomarkers Detection (INCITE) Consortium
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma of pancreas
New recruiting trial: AI-powered Early Detection for Pancreatic Cancer Via Non-contrast CT in Opportunistic Screening Cohort
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma of pancreas
New recruiting trial: Using Radiogenomics to Predict Malignant Potential of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the Pancreas
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma of pancreas
New recruiting trial: Endocrine, Metabolic, Inflammatory Biomarkers to Identify Highgrade Dysplasia/invasive Carcinoma in Patients with IPMN of the Pancreas
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma of pancreas
New recruiting trial: Artificial Intelligence-powered Low-Dose Computed Tomography for Screening of Pancreatic Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma of 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.Has the cancer spread beyond the pancreas, and am I a candidate for surgery?,Which type of surgery would I need, and what are the risks and recovery time?,Should I have genetic testing to see if a hereditary cancer syndrome runs in my family?,What chemotherapy or other treatments would you recommend after surgery, and what side effects should I expect?,How will my digestion and blood sugar be affected, and what support will I get to manage those changes?,How often will I need follow-up scans, and what are we watching for?,Are there any clinical trials I might be eligible for?
Common questions about Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma of pancreas
What is Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma of pancreas?
Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma of the pancreas, often called IPMC or malignant IPMN (intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm), is a type of pancreatic cancer that starts inside the ducts of the pancreas — the tubes that carry digestive juices. It begins as a slow-growing, mucus-producing growth called an IPMN, which over time can turn into cancer. The pancreas sits behind the stomach and plays two important roles: helping digest food and controlling blood sugar. When cancer develops in its ducts, it can block the flow of digestive enzymes and affect how the whole organ works. People
How is Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma of pancreas inherited?
Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma of pancreas follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma of pancreas typically begin?
Typical onset of Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma of pancreas is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma of pancreas?
Yes — 16 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma of pancreas on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma of pancreas?
25 specialists and care centers treating Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma of pancreas are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.