That may be the case for many forms of cancer, but pancreatic isn’t among them. Pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed in later stages of the disease, making it difficult to effectively treat. In many cases the cancer has already begun to spread to other parts of the body by the time a diagnosis is made.
Why is this type of cancer so difficult to pinpoint in its earlier stages? Why don’t more patients seek medical help sooner? What can be done to help people more proactively monitor their health and identify telltale signs of this dangerous disease?
The problem with pancreatic cancer is that is can be rather quiet in its initial growth stages. It may not cause any truly concerning symptoms or pain that would send most people in search of medical advice. In fact, by the time pancreatic cancer rears its ugly head, it has likely already grown outside of its organ of origin.
In some cases, pancreatic cancer may be detectible sooner via signs and symptoms if it begins in the head of the pancreas rather than the body or tail of the organ. However, there is no guarantee as to when or how symptoms will manifest themselves in each case.
Awareness is a key factor in being proactive with your health. If you have a history of pancreatic cancer in your family, you should be especially vigilant for any early warning signs of the disease. Even with no family history, everyone can benefit from the knowledge of what pancreatic cancer symptoms look like.
10 Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer may vary depending on the location of the cancer cells or tumor, but there are some common issues that are associated with this type of cancer that you should be aware of.
- Jaundice: This symptom is visibly detectible because it causes a yellowing of the skin. Although it can be the signal of other health maladies, jaundice is a sign of pancreatic cancer in some cases and should never be ignored. Jaundice is caused by the buildup of bilirubin, which is dark yellow-brown in color. This substance is produced by the liver and is normally excreted by the body through the intestines. However, when a cancer growth in the pancreas blocks the bile duct where bilirubin exits, it can cause an internal buildup, affecting the color of the skin. Do not delay medical treatment if you notice your skin tone changing to a yellowish color.
- Dark urine: If your urine changes color and appears darker than you remember it being previously, and if this change is persistent, you should seek medical advice as to why this could be happening. Dark urine may be the result of a buildup of bilirubin due to a blocked bile duct and could be a warning sign of pancreatic cancer.
- Itching: Unexplained and persistent itching of the skin may be a symptom of buildup of bilirubin in the skin and a warning sign of pancreatic cancer. If you have itching that won’t go away or is reoccurring, you should contact your physician for an examination. Be sure to identify any other accompanying symptoms, no matter how unrelated or insignificant you may believe they are.
- Abdominal pain: While early pancreatic cancer is known to cause little to no pain while it grows, you may experience some discomfort or mild pain that could be a warning sign of the illness. Never dismiss even mild ailments if they reoccur or seem to be persistent for a period of days or weeks. The sooner you seek medical attention, the better your chances for successful treatment.
- Light stool color: This might seem “icky” but checking your stools regularly could save your life. If you notice an ongoing change in the color of your stools, notify your doctor. You may be experiencing a blockage in the duct that releases bile into the intestines caused by a cancerous growth.
- Bloating: Pancreatic cancer can cause a feeling of fullness due to the growth of the cancer or swelling in the abdomen.
- Pain in the back: Depending on the location of the cancer in the pancreas, some patients complain of back pain. If you have back pain that is not associated with an injury or other diagnosed condition, seek medical evaluation for any lasting pain in this area.
- Nausea or diarrhea: If you have any ongoing or recurring bouts of nausea or diarrhea, you should always seek medical advice. There could be many explanations for these ailments, but it’s always best to find the root cause. It could be pancreatic cancer, since this cancer exists in the abdomen and often wreaks havoc on the gastrointestinal tract.
- Enlarged lymph nodes: Enlarged lymph nodes associated with pancreatic cancer typically are located in the neck. Always have swollen lymph nodes examined by a physician as they could be the sign of pancreatic cancer or other serious illnesses.
- Elevated blood sugars: In some cases, pancreatic cancer can restrict the organ’s ability to produce insulin, causing a diabetic syndrome. Many people have diabetes and do not have pancreatic cancer, but elevated blood sugars should always be evaluated by a doctor.
If you ever believe you are experiencing any of the symptoms described in this article, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Pancreatic cancer can be treated with many traditional cancer therapies including chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy or clinical trials.
Successful treatment and survival are possible with this type of cancer. Your doctor will work with you to make an accurate diagnosis and then to formulate the best possible treatment plan while also addressing the management of any symptoms you are having.
Open lines of communication with your medical team will ensure you have the best chance for a full recovery and early intervention is a key factor for survival. Never downplay your symptoms and seek care as soon as you can for any health concerns you have.