Most forms of pancreatic cancer are regarded to be highly risky, as they are frequently undetected until they are more advanced and tougher to treat. In the wide majority of cases, the symptoms will only appear after pancreatic cancer has already begun to grow and spread. Because more than 95% of the pancreatic cancers that are diagnosed today are of the “adenocarcinoma” type, it’s important to learn about the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer in these cases. In addition, it may also be important to look at symptoms as they can appear in rarer forms of pancreatic cancer.
Learn About the Signs and Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer:
When it comes to figuring out the signs and pancreatic cancer symptoms, it’s important to remember that this disease can be both painless and silent as it grows and thrives within the human body. Indeed, by the time it has become large enough to cause symptoms, it has often spread beyond the pancreas, and at that point, the symptoms will depend on the location of the cancer.
For example, pancreatic cancer that is located within the head of the pancreatic tissue will cause specific symptoms like jaundice, weight loss, dark urine, nausea, itching, abdominal pain, back pain, and enlarged neck lymph nodes. These symptoms are usually observed earliest compared to the other types. On the other hand, pancreatic cancer that is found within the tail or body of the pancreas typically causes back and belly pain, along with weight loss.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer:
When you want to learn about the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer, you should also discover that because this disease grows around important areas in the digestive system, it can cause gastrointestinal problems, such as:
– Bloating, or a feeling of early fullness when eating meals. Some people also experience uncomfortable swelling around the abdomen.
– Abdominal pain. More than 80% of the individuals who suffer from pancreatic cancer will experience some form of abdominal pain as the tumor gets bigger. Many forms of this cancer can cause dull aches in the back and upper abdomen.
– Diarrhea
– Nausea or sickness
– Pale colored stools. In the case wherein the duct that drains bile within the intestine becomes blocked by tumors, stools may lose their color and become clay-colored or pale, while urine becomes darker.
Whole Body Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer:
As it spreads and grows, pancreatic cancer affects the entire body, leading to a range of different symptoms such as malaise, weight loss, lost appetite, and elevated blood sugar level. In fact, in some people, this disease impairs the pancreas’ ability to create insulin.
Skin Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer:
Pancreatic cancer can also cause a range of symptoms that appear within the skin. For instance, jaundice can develop as it blocks the duct that releases bile through the intestine. This can turn the eyes and skin yellow, and lead to the different colors of stool and urine mentioned above. What’s more, it can also cause itching and discomfort throughout the skin.
