Symptoms Associated With Pancreatic Cancer Pancreatic cancer can be identified by a multitude of symptoms.  Rarely, however, are these symptoms discovered early enough for the cancer to be stopped before entering the locally advanced stage, thus making removal of the tumor difficult, if not impossible.  While the symptoms may not occur early enough for the cancer to be removed from the body, they can provide the much needed time to prevent the cancer from spreading, as well as to use other means to eradicate the cancer from the body.  Of the many symptoms associated with pancreatic cancer, some of the most common are: Abdominal Pain- Although abdominal pain can be caused by many problems, it can be a sign of advanced pancreatic cancer.  The pain is felt because cancer cells have spread to nerves surrounding the pancreas. Digestive Problems- Because some tumors can block the release of pancreatic juice into the intestine, cancer sufferers may not be able to fully digest foods with high fat content, causing stool that is pale, greasy, and bulky.  If the cancer manages to wrap itself around part of the stomach, nausea, vomiting, and pain will likely follow meals Jaundice- A symptom occurring in roughly half of all pancreatic cancer cases, jaundice causes the skin and whites of the eyes to become yellow as bilirubin accumulates in the blood.  Depending on the location of the tumor, the bile duct may be compressed and cause jaundice.  As the tumor moves farther back through the body and towards the tail of the pancreas, the likelihood of the bile duct being compressed diminished, as do the odds of acquiring jaundice.  It is also important to note, however, that more common problems such as hepatitis and gallstones can cause jaundice. Weight Loss- People with pancreatic cancer may continually and unexpectedly lose a large amount of weight .  Tiredness and a loss of appetite may happen simultaneously. Gallbladder enlargement- As tumors can block the bile duct, bile can accumulate in the gallbladder and enlarge it.  The enlargement might be detectable by a physical or imaging test (Can pancreatic cancer be found early?). Itching- As bile acids accumulate in the patient's skin, severe itching may occur.  This generally happens in later stages of pancreatic cancer. Diabetes- Since the pancreas produces insulin to lower the blood sugar level, as well as glucagon to raise the blood sugar at times of need such as during a fast, a malfunction of the pancreas can cause severe problems in controlling blood sugar levels.  Whether the pancreas produces too much of these hormones, or is unable to produce enough, if any at all, diabetes will form and blood-sugar levels must be controlled in other ways such as through insulin injections. Depression- While it may not be a result of pancreatic cancer, depression can signal the existence of the disease, possibly being the first symptom (Pancreatic Cancer (1)).   Continue to Diagnosing Pancreatic Cancer | Return Home View the Glossary | View The Works Consulted |Return Back One Page