Pancreatic cancer rarely causes noticeable symptoms in its earliest stages because tumors can grow deep inside the abdomen without putting pressure on surrounding organs.
Losing Weight Without Trying
Unexplained weight loss is often an early symptom of pancreatic cancer.
People may lose several kilos, and their clothing may start feeling loose. Their appetite may decrease, and they may lose interest in food.
There are many causes of unintended weight loss, and cancer is only one of them. Unintended weight loss that persists should be looked into.
Yellow Eyes or Skin
Yellow appearance in the eyes or yellow discoloration of the skin indicates there might be some problem with the pancreas, liver, or bile duct.
The yellow discoloration is known as jaundice. Jaundice may result from a tumor blocking the bile duct in the pancreas.
Other symptoms may be present simultaneously. Dark urine is one of them. Pale stools may appear in addition. Some patients may also experience itching of the skin.
Jaundice doesn’t necessarily indicate cancer. Other conditions, such as gallstones or liver disease, may also cause this symptom.
Pain in the Stomach or Back
Stomach pain is commonly associated with pancreatic cancer. In fact, many patients describe back pain with their cancer.
Often this pain is described as dull or achy. It may not be severe.
In general, abdominal and back pain is very common. The majority of the time, these symptoms are caused by things other than cancer. The level of concern goes up when a patient has abdominal or back pain that lasts, and there is no clear reason for the pain, especially if the pain is associated with other symptoms like weight loss or jaundice.
Not Feeling Hungry
One could gradually develop a disinterest in food.
For some individuals, regular food portions can suddenly become too much to handle. Others may feel full after consuming small amounts of food.
This could be due to a range of illnesses. However, when lack of appetite persists for more than a week, it needs to be addressed.
Nausea or Vomiting
Some people with cancer of the pancreas may experience sickness after meals or even vomiting.
This occurs when the tumor affects the areas close to the digestive organs, resulting in poor digestion of food by the stomach and the intestines.
Nausea and vomiting, however, are very common. There are so many diseases like stomach infections, food-related problems, drugs, among others, that can result in such symptoms.
Changes in Stool
Stool changes can be an indication of problems in the functioning of the pancreas.
The stool may appear pale, greasy, and hard to flush away. The stool may also be unusually light.
This occurs because the body cannot digest fats effectively. The person may also experience dark-colored urine due to obstruction in the flow of bile.
A temporary change in stool is generally nothing to be concerned about. However, a constant change requires medical attention.
Feeling Tired for No Clear Reason
Some people with pancreatic cancer feel unusually tired or weak.
It may feel different from normal tiredness after a busy day. A person may feel drained even after getting enough sleep.
Still, tiredness is one of the most common symptoms people experience for many different reasons. Poor sleep, stress, anemia, infections and other health problems can all cause it.
So tiredness by itself is not a strong sign of pancreatic cancer.
A New Problem With Blood Sugar
The pancreas assists in regulating blood glucose levels through the production of insulin. Disorders of the pancreas can lead to fluctuations in blood glucose levels.
Pancreatic cancer can be associated with the occurrence of new-onset diabetes or fluctuations in blood glucose levels in some individuals.
This does not imply that all diabetic individuals have pancreatic cancer. Diabetes occurs more frequently than pancreatic cancer and is often caused by other factors.
However, any fluctuation in blood glucose levels without an apparent cause, especially with loss of weight, is something to discuss with a physician.
Blood Clots Can Sometimes Be Linked to Pancreatic Cancer
There are cases where blood clots are associated with the disease.
Swelling, pain, reddening, and warmth are symptoms of the clot that forms in the legs. On the other hand, the clot traveling to the lungs may lead to breathlessness and chest pain.
It is not true that most blood clots are because of the disease. Nonetheless, unexplained blood clots require medical attention.
Why Is Pancreatic Cancer Hard to Notice Early?
The pancreas is located very deeply in the abdominal cavity. The small tumor can go unnoticed by the person, as there are no feelings that something wrong is happening to them.
Furthermore, there are no screening tests for pancreatic cancer for people whose risk is normal.
That does not mean that any stomach trouble requires a cancer diagnosis. That means that the symptoms should not be ignored.
When Should You See a Doctor?
This means that there is nothing to be concerned about with just one day of stomach pain or poor appetite lasting for a couple of days.
The important thing is when the issue keeps recurring or more than one issue occurs at the same time.
In case you have lost some weight without any explanation, along with other issues like stomach pain, yellow eyes, poor appetite, or unusual stool.
Can Pancreatic Cancer Be Found Before Symptoms Start?
There is no regular screening test that is performed to detect the presence of pancreatic cancer before the occurrence of symptoms in individuals at average risk.
Individuals who have a family history of this disease or suffer from any hereditary disorders might be at a higher risk of suffering from this illness.
However, for all other individuals, it becomes essential to notice changes in their bodies.
Why Choose Dr. Vinay Samuel Gaikwad?
Dr. Vinay Samuel Gaikwad is the Best Surgical Oncologist in India with more than 20 years of experience in complex cancer surgeries. He holds an MCh in Surgical Oncology and has received advanced training at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, as well as international training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, and IRCAD Taiwan.
His areas of special interest include gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies, hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) cancers, pancreatic cancer and minimally invasive and robotic cancer surgery.
Pancreatic cancer care requires careful assessment of the tumour, nearby blood vessels, possible spread and the patient's overall health. A treatment plan may involve a Surgical Oncologist, medical oncologist, radiologist, gastroenterologist, pathologist and other specialists.
Patients should receive an individualised treatment recommendation based on diagnostic findings, disease stage and available treatment options.
Related Treatments
Depending on the diagnosis and stage, pancreatic cancer care may involve:
Conclusion
Pancreatic cancer can be difficult to recognise early because it may not cause clear symptoms in the beginning. When symptoms do appear, they can include weight loss without trying, poor appetite, stomach or back pain, yellow eyes or skin, changes in stool, nausea and unusual tiredness.
These symptoms do not automatically mean cancer. Most can happen because of much more common health problems. The important thing is to get checked when a symptom does not go away or when several unusual changes start happening together.
For people who need specialist care for pancreatic cancer, Dr. Vinay Samuel Gaikwad, a Surgical Oncologist with more than 20 years of experience, provides treatment based on the type and stage of cancer and the patient's overall condition.
FAQs
What is the first indication of pancreatic cancer?
There is no first indication because some patients don’t show any symptoms at all during the early stages. Symptoms such as weight loss, lack of appetite, jaundice, and pain in the stomach or back can be detected when symptoms appear.
Does back pain indicate pancreatic cancer?
It does, but there are much more common causes of back pain. It becomes more dangerous when it is persistent and not explained and accompanied by weight loss, jaundice, or other symptoms.
Is there weight loss associated with pancreatic cancer?
It is. People lose weight for no reason related to changes in diet or physical activity. In addition, problems with digestion and loss of appetite lead to weight loss.
Does having yellow eyes always mean someone has pancreatic cancer?
No. Yellow eyes may occur due to gallstones, issues with the liver, and various other illnesses. However, the yellow coloration of the eyes or skin needs to be investigated.
Does diabetes mean that someone has pancreatic cancer?
In some cases. Pancreatic cancer may interfere with the functioning of the pancreas and affect blood sugar levels. Diabetes, however, is widespread, and the reason behind it is not always pancreatic cancer.
Is there a test for early detection of pancreatic cancer?
There is no screening test for pancreatic cancer among individuals at average risk.