Symptoms of pancreatic cancer are often not noticeable until they are in advanced stages, so it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible if any of the signs and symptoms associated with the disease are observed
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer are
Yellow skin
Christopher J. "Jaundice is one of the most obvious symptoms of pancreatic cancer," said Dimayu, a gastroenterologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
Cancer that appears near the head of the pancreas can block the bile duct and prevent the bile from reaching the intestines, which helps burn fat and eventually exits with the stool. Demayo explains that the accumulation of bile causes jaundice, which is yellowing of the skin or eyes
Abdominal / back pain
Demayo says the common site in which patients with pancreatic cancer feel pain in the upper abdomen just below the breastbone. If cancer spreads to the nerves surrounding the pancreas, it will cause back pain
dark urine/fatty stool
If urine turns dark brown, it is likely to be a symptom of pancreatic cancer that should be observed. This is due to the accumulation of bilirubin in the blood, a substance made by the liver and forms part of the bile, making the urine dark
Mud-colored stool or fat can also be a symptom of pancreatic cancer, as it can be caused by cancer that blocks the bile duct. Moreover, dark urine and fatty stool can indicate other conditions, including hepatitis and some blood disorders.
Nausea/vomiting
Cancer pressure on the tip of the stomach can partially block it, making it difficult for food to pass. According to the American Cancer Society, this situation can cause nausea, vomiting, and pain that tends to get worse after eating, and can be a symptom of pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatic cancer is one of the seven cancers that are difficult to detect early. In contrast, "unexplained or chronic pancreatitis is likely to be caused by a small pancreatic tumor." Although pancreatitis is usually caused by gallstones, the use of new drugs or alcohol, the disease may be a sign of a more serious condition
deterioration of oral hygiene
If you have bad breath, inflamed gums or bad teeth, it may be more than just bad oral hygiene. "It is recognized that patients with pancreatic cancer are at risk of periodontal disease, cavity, and overall oral health deterioration," according to researchers from the New York University Medical Center Langon who conducted a study to examine the mouth bacteria of pancreatic cancer patients and people without it
The researchers also found that the presence of bacteria associated with dental diseases such as gingivitis exposes a person to 59% more risk of pancreatic cancer than those who have no mouths
Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes
Your diagnosis of diabetes usually does not mean that you will develop pancreatic cancer, but it is associated with an increased risk of developing it. For example, a Mayo Clinic study found that 40% of pancreatic patients were diagnosed with diabetes in the months before cancer diagnosis
