Question: how to tell the difference between pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer?
Answer: Pancreatitis is an inflammation (swelling and soreness) of the pancreas whereas pancreatic cancer is a tumour in the pancreas. There are two main types of pancreatitis: acute (short term) and chronic (long term). Chronic pancreatitis is long-term inflammation of the pancreas which causes scarring of the pancreas.