In which part of the pancreas does pancreatic cancer most commonly occur?

Pancreatic cancer most commonly occurs in the head of the pancreas. This is significant because the head of the pancreas is the area where pancreatic ducts can become blocked by tumors, leading to symptoms such as jaundice, weight loss, and digestive issues. The anatomical location of the head relative to surrounding structures, such as the duodenum and bile ducts, plays a role in the presentation and diagnosis of the cancer. As tumors in the head can obstruct the bile duct, they often cause earlier clinical symptoms compared to tumors located in the body or tail of the pancreas, which may go unnoticed for a longer period due to the lack of symptoms until the disease is more advanced. Understanding this commonality is crucial for early detection strategies and management of pancreatic cancer.