Are pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors different from other pancreatic cancer?

Yes. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, also called islet cell tumors, are different from the more common type of pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer can develop from two kinds of cells: exocrine cells and neuroendocrine cells, such as islet cells. The exocrine type is more common and is usually found at an advanced stage. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors start in neuroendocrine cells instead.

The main differences are how common they are and their outlook. Neuroendocrine tumors are less common than the exocrine type, but they have a better prognosis. "Prognosis" means the likely course and outcome of a disease.

Your healthcare team is the best source for information about which type is involved and what it means in a specific situation.