Symptoms of pancreatic cancer
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer depend on the tumour’s location and size. Symptoms often become more noticeable only after the tumour has grown into a nearby organ or the nerves surrounding the pancreas. A tumour in the head of the pancreas can block the bile duct and cause jaundice, so these tumours are sometimes discovered earlier than tumours elsewhere in the pancreas.
Symptoms that may indicate pancreatic cancer:
Jaundice
When the bile duct is blocked, bile builds up in the blood and skin. This can cause yellow skin and yellowing of the whites of the eyes, as well as pale stools, dark urine and itching.
Disturbed bowel pattern
A pancreatic tumour can cause changes in bowel habits, including diarrhoea or constipation and changes in the colour or amount of stool.
Unexplained weight loss
Suddenly and without explanation, rapid loss of weight may indicate pancreatic cancer.
Decreased appetite
A loss of appetite or a change in how food tastes may indicate a problem with the pancreas.
Abdominal pain or middle back pain
Severe pain symptoms often occur only when pancreatic cancer is spread, at a later stage of the disease.
Diabetes
A less effective pancreas and a shortage of insulin may cause some form of diabetes.
Fatigue
Extreme tiredness without an obvious cause may indicate a tumour in the pancreas.
Pancreatitis
An inflammation of the pancreas that causes upper abdominal pain with radiance to the back. Often there is also a swollen abdomen, nausea, vomiting, fever and an accelerated heartbeat.