Pancreatic cancer is a form of cancer that starts in the pancreas as a result of abnormal growth of cells in this gland. It is the tenth most common cancer in the UK.
Sadly, it is rarely caught at an early stage since the symptoms are not manifested until it progresses beyond the point of early intervention.
It is usually when the cancer reaches more advanced stage that certain symptoms start to become noticeable. But even then, they can be vague and similar to those caused by a number of other conditions.
The symptoms vary depending on what part of the pancreas — the head, body or tail — the cancer develops.
The most common type of pancreatic cancer is ductal adenocarcinoma which starts in the cells that produce digestive juices.
Some of the most common signs, as described by Cancer Research UK, are as follows:
Pain in the stomach or back
Chronic or unexplained abdominal pain that can spread to the back may be a sign of pancreatic cancer. This pain is especially felt after eating.
At the early stages, the pain may come and go, but as the tumor grows larger it tends to be more constant and last longer.
Jaundice
A number of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer have jaundice—yellowing of the skin and eyes resulting in the buildup of bilirubin, a pigment produced by the liver.
This happens because the tumour blocks the bile duct.
Weight loss
Losing significant amount of weight because of no apparent reason is one of the signs of cancer in general, including pancreatic cancer.
Digestive Problems
Poor digestion, loose stools, or stools that are oily and are accompanied by a strong odor may be a result of interference with the pancreas’s enzyme production because of the presence of cancer.
Bowel changes
When and if the pancreatic duct blocks, it may leads to a symptom called steatorrhoea or fatty stools. This means the body is not absorbing your food properly. Other bowel changes may include diarrhoea and constipation.
New-Onset Diabetes
In some cases, pancreatic cancer affects insulin production, causing diabetes in people who were not diabetic before.
Fatigue
As with most other cancers, fatigue and lack of energy can be symptoms accompanying pancreatic cancer.
Blood Clots
The risk of developing blood clots increases when a person is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Fever and shivering
If you have jaundice or an inflamed pancreas, you may also experience occasional fevers accompanied with shivers.
Itching
Jaundice, one of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer, can cause itchy skin because of the increased bile salts in the bloodstream.
Although the exact cause that leads to pancreatic cancer can’t be determined with certainty, there are several risk factors.
They include smoking, obesity, age, and genetic factors among the rest.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is informative. For personalized advice, always consult your doctor.
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