Signs of pancreatic cancer you should never ignore…..See more

 

Signs of pancreatic cancer you should never ignore

The pancreas is a large gland responsible for the production of digestive juices and hormones, located in the upper part of the abdomen, directly behind the stomach.

Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the pancreas due to uncontrolled cell growth. It is the tenth most common cancer in the UK.

Unfortunately, the disease is rarely detected at an early stage, as symptoms only appear when the disease has already progressed to the point where early intervention is no longer possible.

Symptoms usually only appear in the advanced stages of cancer. But even then, they can be nonspecific and resemble those of other diseases.

Symptoms vary depending on which part of the pancreas—head, body, or tail—the cancer occurs in.
The most common form of pancreatic cancer is ductal adenocarcinoma, which originates in the cells that produce digestive juices.

Stomach or back pain

Chronic or unexplained abdominal pain that may radiate to the back can be a sign of pancreatic cancer. This pain occurs particularly after eating.

In 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

Many people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer suffer from jaundice – a yellowing of the skin and eyes caused by the buildup of bilirubin, a pigment produced by the liver.

This happens because the tumor blocks the bile duct.

weight loss

Significant weight loss without any apparent reason is one of the common signs of cancer, including pancreatic cancer.

Digestive problems

Indigestion, loose stools or oily stools with a strong odor may be due to impaired enzyme production by the pancreas as a result of cancer.

Changes in bowel movements

 

If the pancreatic duct is blocked, this can lead to steatorrhea (fatty stools). This means that the body is not properly absorbing nutrients. Other possible changes in stool consistency include diarrhea and constipation.

Newly diagnosed diabetes

In some cases, pancreatic cancer impairs insulin production, thus causing diabetes in people who did not previously have diabetes.

fatigue

As with most other types of cancer, fatigue and lack of energy can be symptoms that also occur in pancreatic cancer.

blood clots

The risk of developing blood clots increases in people with pancreatic cancer. This is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Fever and chills

In cases of jaundice or inflammation of the pancreas, fever and chills may occasionally occur.

itching

Jaundice, one of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer, can cause itching due to the increased concentration of bile acids in the bloodstream.

Although the exact cause of pancreatic cancer cannot be determined with certainty, there are several risk factors.

Other factors include, among others, obesity, age, smoking, and genetic factors.

Note: The information in this article is for informational purposes only. For individual advice, please always consult your doctor.