What are the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer?

What are the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer?

Jaundice. Pancreatic cancer that blocks the liver’s bile duct can cause jaundice. Signs include yellow skin and eyes, dark-colored urine, and pale-colored stools. Jaundice usually occurs without abdominal pain.

Why is pancreatic cancer called a silent disease?

Pancreatic cancer is sometimes called a “silent” disease because symptoms are rarely noticeable in its early stages. If symptoms are present, they are often vague and can be easy to ignore. The following is a list of seven common symptoms.

Can a person with pancreatic cancer have back pain?

Cancers that start in the body or tail of the pancreas can grow fairly large and start to press on other nearby organs, causing pain. The cancer may also spread to the nerves surrounding the pancreas, which often causes back pain. Pain in the abdomen or back is fairly common and is most often caused by something other than pancreatic cancer.

Can a person with pancreatic cancer have itchy skin?

People with jaundice may also have itchy skin, dark urine and light or clay-colored stools. Many pancreatic cancer patients have diarrhea, constipation or both. Diarrhea consisting of loose, watery, oily or foul-smelling stools can be caused by insufficient amounts of pancreatic enzymes in the intestines.

Can you have jaundice if you have pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer is not the most common cause of jaundice. Other causes, such as gallstones, hepatitis, and other liver and bile duct diseases, are much more common. Pain in the abdomen (belly) or back is common in pancreatic cancer.

What are the options for treatment of pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer is seldom detected at its early stages when it’s most curable. This is because it often doesn’t cause symptoms until after it has spread to other organs. Pancreatic cancer treatment options are chosen based on the extent of the cancer. Options may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a combination of these.

What causes pancreatic cancer according to Mayo Clinic?

You will also receive emails from Mayo Clinic on the latest about cancer news, research, and care. It’s not clear what causes pancreatic cancer. Doctors have identified some factors that may increase the risk of this type of cancer, including smoking and having certain inherited gene mutations.