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Types of Cancer > Pancreatic Cancer > Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Staging
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| Signs and Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer |
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An early diagnosis is critical for the successful treatment of pancreatic cancer. Because of this, it is important to know what signs and symptoms indicate the development of the condition. The reason the survival rates for pancreatic cancer are not as good as the survival rates for other types of cancers is because most cases of pancreatic cancer are not detected in the beginning stages.
One of the common symptoms of pancreatic cancer is jaundice. Approximately half of all pancreatic cancer patients will display this symptom and all of the patients who develop cancer at the ampulla of Vater will develop jaundice. Jaundice occurs when the bilirubin that is produced by the liver accumulates in the tissues of the skin and the eyes. When the bilirubin accumulates, the eyes and skin take on a yellowish tint. This is usually caused by the blockage of a bile duct. It is important to remember that jaundice can be caused by other conditions, such as hepatitis or liver complications and not all people who display jaundice symptoms have pancreatic cancer.
Digestive problems are another symptom associated with pancreatic cancer, due to the fact that pancreatic tumors can block pancreatic juices from being released into the intestine. This can interfere with the body¡¯s ability to digest fat. If this happens, the stools will become fatty, will appear pale in color and will often float. Other digestive symptoms of pancreatic cancer include nausea and vomiting.
In some cases, the gallbladder of an individual afflicted with pancreatic cancer will become enlarged. This happens when obstructed bile accumulates in the gallbladder. Imaging studies are usually necessary to detect this enlargement, but sometimes a doctor will be able to feel gallbladder enlargement during an exam.
Some people who have developed pancreatic cancer will experience pain in their lower back or their abdomen, and if cancer has spread to the nerves surrounding the pancreas, severe pain may be experienced in the mid to upper back. Unexplained weight loss that continues over several months, high blood sugar and problems with metabolism of sugar can also be signs of pancreatic cancer.
If a person is experiencing one or more of the above symptoms, it is important that an appointment be scheduled with a physician immediately. If the symptoms are indeed caused by pancreatic cancer, it is important for diagnosis to be made as early as possible. A physician will be able to run the necessary tests to determine exactly what is causing the symptoms and will then be able to either rule out or confirm pancreatic cancer.
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| Author: | Robert Dale, Certified Medical Writer |
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| Reviewer: | Jiade Jay Lu, M.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Radiology (Radiation Oncology) |
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| Publish Date: December 16, 2004 |
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