There are no established specific early-warning signs of pancreatic cancer. Symptoms often do not appear until the tumor grows large enough to interfere with the function of the stomach, liver, or other nearby organs.
When symptoms do occur, they are often so vague and nonspecific that they may be ignored. The first symptoms are typically pain (sometimes severe pain in the upper abdomen that can penetrate to the back) and weight loss. Because about 80 percent of pancreatic cancers occur in the head of the pancreas, where they can block the common bile duct, jaundice (a yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, often with general itchiness) is often another sign. Hepatitis and gallstones, however, can also obstruct the common bile duct and are much more common causes of jaundice.
Nausea, loss of appetite, unintended weight loss, pain in the upper or middle abdomen, and jaundice may be caused by other problems that are far less serious than pancreatic cancer. The appearance of any of these signs, however, warrants a medical examination.
Management of Symptoms
People with pancreatic cancer can suffer from cancer-related symptoms including pain, weight loss and wasting, fatigue, and depression. Symptom management and supportive care are essential elements in the multidisciplinary approach to pancreatic cancer care.
- Pain: The pain of pancreatic cancer may be constant or intermittent, and can be caused by the spread of tumors to the network of nerves surrounding the pancreas. The pain associated with pancreatic cancer is now usually controllable. To learn more about Memorial Sloan-Kettering's approach to pain management and palliative care, visit Pain Management.
- Weight Loss: Weight loss can result when cancer interferes with the basic food-processing functions of the pancreas. Patients may have problems digesting fatty foods in particular. Exocrine cancers can sometimes cause problems with sugar metabolism that can be recognized by blood tests, and in rare cases can be a cause of diabetes. Nutrition counseling and support are vital components of pancreatic cancer care.
- Fatigue & Depression: Memorial Sloan-Kettering clinicians recognize that fatigue and depression are common symptoms for patients with pancreatic cancer, and monitors for them with an eye to prompt and caring management through inpatient psycho-oncology services and an outpatient Counseling Center.
