Looking Out for Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms

A lot of cancer patients can help save their lives by discovering the symptoms of their condition early and asking a doctor about it. This may not always be the case for pancreatic cancer patients. A lot of sufferers will not have any signs at all until the cancer cells have already spread. In any case, it is still very important to know the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer and be extra sensitive to any body changes especially if you know that you are at risk. Here are some of the possible symptoms of the condition:

Abdominal Pain- More than half of pancreatic cancer patients complain of feeling pain in the upper stomach portion. In some people this symptom may only manifest itself in advanced stages of the disease. It is caused by the mass of cancer cells pressing against other organs. The sensation may be more severe when lying down or after eating. A doctor may prescribe analgesics or opiates for severe cases.

Distention of the Abdomen- As the disease advances, the stomach may appear distended. This is caused by cancer cells moving from the primary point to other cells and neighboring organs.

Back Pain- This may accompany abdominal pain. The sensation may either be caused by abdominal pain radiating to the back or by a large tumor pressing on organs.

Jaundice- Patients may end up with yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. This will happen if the bile duct becomes obstructed by a tumor in the pancreas. Bile which contains bilirubin and which should normally be expelled from the body through the bile duct and small intestine will go back to the bloodstream.

Itchiness- This symptom may accompany the incidence of jaundice. The high amounts of bile salts and acids in the blood cause this symptom. As in jaundice, the cause is tumor obstruction of the ducts.

Weight Loss- Patients may quickly lose some pounds for no other identifiable reason. There are two main reasons why this happens. First, a person loses weight because the cancer condition impedes digestion and nutrient absorption which is part of the job of the pancreas. Second, cancer cells take away a lot of the nutrients that are intended for healthy cell growth. Weight loss may be accompanied by less firm looking muscles and loss of appetite.

Nausea- Of course, individuals with pancreatic cancer would understandably not feel well. Those in advanced stages may feel like throwing up. This is caused by the cancer tumor blocking the food’s entrance to the small intestine. Some patients may additionally have fevers and chills.

Steatorrhea- Since the pancreas cannot function properly, food cannot be digested properly and nutrients will not be absorbed well. Patients may end up with light colored, smelly stools that are a mark of poor digestion.

Diabetes- Not every diabetic person will develop pancreatic cancer. It is possible though for victims of pancreatic cancer to develop diabetes. This is because the pancreas’ ability to secrete insulin has become impaired, resulting in uncontrolled blood sugar levels.