Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to detect early. It often grows quietly for a long time, and many people do not develop clear symptoms until the disease has become more advanced.
The pancreas is a small organ located deep in the abdomen, behind the stomach. It produces substances that help the body digest food and hormones such as insulin, which helps control blood sugar.
Because of its location, doctors cannot easily feel small pancreatic tumors during a routine physical examination. Early symptoms can also resemble much more common problems, including indigestion, back pain, or an upset stomach.
One possible warning sign is ongoing pain in the upper abdomen or middle of the back. The discomfort may initially come and go, but it can become more frequent or noticeable as the disease progresses.
Unexplained weight loss can also occur. Some people lose their appetite, feel full after eating a small amount, experience nausea, or notice that food is becoming harder to digest.
The pancreas normally produces enzymes that help break down food. If a tumor affects this process, the body may have difficulty digesting fats and absorbing nutrients, which can contribute to weight loss.
Changes in bowel movements can sometimes provide another clue. Stools may become unusually pale, greasy, or difficult to flush because the body is not digesting fat normally.
Jaundice is another important symptom that needs medical attention. It causes the skin and whites of the eyes to turn yellow and develops when a substance called bilirubin builds up in the blood.
A pancreatic tumor can sometimes block the bile duct, which normally carries bile from the liver and gallbladder into the intestine. Along with yellow skin or eyes, a person may develop dark urine, pale stools, or itchy skin.
Jaundice has many possible causes and does not automatically mean someone has pancreatic cancer. However, unexplained jaundice should be assessed promptly because it can signal a serious problem involving the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, or pancreas.
Changes in blood sugar may also occur because the pancreas produces insulin. Research has found that some people develop diabetes relatively close to the time their pancreatic cancer is diagnosed.
Most new cases of diabetes are not caused by pancreatic cancer. Still, doctors may pay closer attention when an older adult suddenly develops diabetes together with unexplained weight loss or other concerning symptoms.
Other possible signs include unusual tiredness, poor appetite, nausea, and a general feeling of being unwell. These symptoms are extremely common, but persistent or unexplained changes are worth discussing with a healthcare professional, especially when several appear together.
Several factors are known to increase pancreatic cancer risk. According to the American Cancer Society, smoking is an important preventable risk factor, and people who smoke have about twice the risk of developing pancreatic cancer as people who have never smoked.
Older age, excess body weight, long-term inflammation of the pancreas, certain inherited genetic changes, and a family history of pancreatic cancer can also increase risk. Having one or more risk factors does not mean a person will develop the disease.
If pancreatic cancer is suspected, doctors may use tests such as CT or MRI scans to examine the pancreas and surrounding organs. Further testing may be needed if an abnormal area is found.
There is currently no simple routine screening test recommended for everyone, which makes awareness of persistent symptoms particularly important. Most people with these symptoms will not have pancreatic cancer, but getting unusual or lasting changes checked can help doctors identify the cause and begin treatment when needed.
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