Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms : OmniMedicalSearch.com

Conditions & Diseases: Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms

Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer does not have any signs or symptoms in the early stages. When the symptoms do start appearing, the cancer has reached an advanced stage and the tumor is large enough to interfere with the normal functions of the stomach, liver and adjacent organs. To make the diagnosis even more difficult, pancreatic cancer symptoms, when present, are similar with other medical condition symptoms.

The most common signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer are:

Jaundice (the skin and eyes becomes yellow): Almost half of all patients with pancreatic cancer display this symptom. This symptom is caused by the accumulation of bilirubin in the tissue and blood. Bilirubin is a dark green-colored substance produced by the liver. Jaundice occurs when there is a blockage in the bile duct which prevents bile from reaching the intestine. Sometimes, jaundice is preceded by a darker color urine, (because the bilirubin is eliminated from the body through the urine).

Constant or intermittent pain in the upper or middle abdomen and back: The pain can be caused by the tumor which spreads to the adjacent nerve network that surrounds the pancreas.

Weight loss: Weight loss occurs when the cancer interferes with and restrains the normal food-processing function of the pancreas.

Digestive problems: Pancreatic cancer affects the normal function of the pancreas, preventing pancreatic juice from being released into the intestine. For this reason, patients with pancreatic cancer find it difficult to digest fat foods.

Gallbladder enlargement: Sometimes, the pancreatic tumor blocks the bile duct and causes bile to accumulate in the gallbladder. This can make the cancer detectable earlier due to the enlarged gallbladder which is easily detected during a physical examination or imaging test.

Blood clots or fatty tissue abnormalities: In some cases, a sign of pancreatic cancer may be the development of a blood clot in a large vein or present itself as uneven texture of fat tissue right beneath the skin. This abnormal fat tissue mass is caused by the release of the pancreatic enzymes that digest fat foods.

Loss of appetite: Which also leads to weight loss.

Fatigue and exhaustion: Patients may believe they are tired and exhausted for other reasons, such as being overworked or under stress.

Depression:

Article by Alina Morrow, MS
Medical Writer
OmniMedicalSearch.com

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Page Last Modified:
03/06/2011