Nobody wants to develop pancreatic cancer. It is one of the least curable forms of cancer around, with a terrible prognosis. As a result, some people notice the symptoms for pancreatic cancer and don’t seek medical attention because they don’t want to be told that they will die. However, treatment does exist for this type of cancer and people do survive it, albeit rarely.
What Treatment Can Do:
Treatment is important because, first of all, it can help provide relief from the symptoms of pancreatic cancer, which are often very painful. Furthermore, it means that people do have an increased chance of living longer. This is why you need to know what the symptoms are, so that you can learn to recognize them. As with every type of cancer, the earlier it is detected, the better would be the prognosis.
Symptoms for Pancreatic Cancer:
1. Stomach pain that often spreads to other parts of the body. The pancreatic tumors press against the nerves and organs inside the body, and this hurts. This pain, which is generally chronic, can also spread to other parts of the body, depending on which nerves are being constricted. Some of these areas include the upper and the middle back.
2. Changes in appetite, because the cells get deprived of the nutrients that they need. The stomach is often also slightly suppressed, which means people are incapable of eating as much as possible. Weight loss, therefore, is also one of the most common symptoms for pancreatic cancer, particularly if people also have other symptoms.
3. Severe itching, which is unusual to be experienced with pancreatic cancer, but not unheard of. This itching is caused by accumulation of bile in the skin.
4. Jaundice, which is almost always present in people with pancreatic cancer. It is caused by the body no longer being able to get rid of bilirubin, which worn out blood cells produce. In a healthy body, bile gets rid of the bilirubin. In those with pancreatic cancer, however, the flow of bile gets blocked, leading to jaundice.
5. Digestive problems are also very common. This is because the pancreas is no longer able to produce the necessary enzymes. This can be very problematic, as these enzymes help the body to digest food. The result of this is that people who have pancreatic cancer are also very likely to have difficulties with digestion. This is particularly common in people who consume high fat food items. The added problem with digestive issues is that people become malnourished and start to lose excessive amounts of weight.
6. Nausea, which usually happens due to the digestive tract becoming blocked.
The prognosis for pancreatic cancer is very poor. However, not being diagnosed and hoping for a quick and painless death is also not a good idea, not in the least because it certainly will not be painless. While it is unlikely that you can be cured from the disease, you can be made far more comfortable so that you can actually enjoy what time you have remaining.
