The symptoms of pancreatic cancer can range from mild to severe, depending on the stage the cancer is at
These are the six most common pancreatic cancer symptoms, along with general information about the disease.
Light-Colored or creamy stools: Because the digestive system is able to handle excess fats easily, pancreatic cancer often causes bright-coloured stools. Stools that are creamier or lighter than normal often indicate that a person has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, although any colour in between could be caused by other digestive problems. Bilirubin can help give stools their yellowish colour, when the bile gland is damaged, stools can be dark-coloured or grey. Pancreatic cancer also makes it harder for the stomach to digest fat, so stools can become oily and float in the bowl.
Pain: If pain is present, it is often the onset of a more serious complication of the disease such as peritonitis. However, many symptoms are common to both cancerous and non-cancerous pancreatic tumors, including vomiting, nausea, abdominal bloating and abdominal pain.
Diarrhoea: A symptom of pancreatic cancer is constant, severe, and repeated bouts of diarrhea. In the advanced stages of the disease, this symptom may occur even without any underlying digestive problems. Diarrhoea that occurs without a cause such as food poisoning or liver disease can also indicate pancreatic cancer because cancer of the pancreas is sometimes accompanied by constipation.
Weight loss: A symptom of pancreatic cancer is sudden and severe weight loss. Many people with this condition will be aware of the gradual loss of appetite as they age. However, if it happens suddenly, it could mean that the patient has had pancreatic surgery or is undergoing chemotherapy. People who have undergone chemotherapy are not only at risk of losing weight due to treatment, but they may also be at risk of developing more serious complications due to medication. Antioxidants can also interfere with the body's ability to absorb nutrients and lead to energy loss.
Vomiting: This symptom is one of the oldest and best known indicators of cancer. Although vomiting is not as common as pain, it can be associated with pancreatic cancer as it involves the movement of fluid from the stomach into the small intestine. If vomiting is accompanied by severe pain and / or fever, a trip to the hospital should be considered as pancreatic cancer is a common cause of these symptoms.
Feeling hungry: Feeling hungry can sometimes be caused by another medical condition, but it is usually a sign that the body is no longer processing its own nutrients. Feeling hungry is a sign that the body is preparing to use food for energy, and does not indicate the presence of pancreatic cancer.
Other symptoms of pancreatic cancer include changes in appetite, vomiting, weight loss, jaundice, nausea, and sweating. Some people also experience abdominal discomfort, chest pain, and blood in their urine.
The treatment options available for this type of cancer differ depending on the stage of the disease, the stage of the patient, the patient's general health, and their age. Surgery may be required to remove damaged parts of the pancreas. Chemotherapy is also used to reduce the size of the cancerous pancreas so that it cannot spread to other parts of the body.
There are a variety of different types of cancer treatment available and the type of treatment you need will depend on the stage of the disease and your own overall health. As the symptoms of pancreatic cancer improve, the cancer becomes a less serious condition and can be cured with surgery or radiation treatment. However, the prognosis for a person who has pancreatic cancer is not always good so the best option may depend on how advanced the condition is.
In general, people who suffer from symptoms of pancreatic cancer have several options. Some of these include surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.
To keep a watchful eye out for the symptoms of this condition, your doctor may have you take tests such as urinalysis and blood test to see if the condition worsens. These tests are designed to detect if there are any problems early so that appropriate treatment can be implemented early.