Symptoms
Due to a lack of symptoms in the early stages, pancreatic cancer is usually not detected until after the disease is in more advanced stages. As this “silent disease” develops, however, some symptoms may arise due to the location and size of the tumor relative to other important organs. These symptoms may include:
Jaundice
Jaundice is a condition that can occur if the tumor is located in a position within the pancreas that causes it to block the common bile duct. The result of this blockage may include a yellowing of the skin and eyes, darker urine, and lighter stool.
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Gallbladder enlargement
Blockage of the common bile duct by a tumor may also cause the bile to build up in the gallbladder. This buildup will cause the gallbladder to become enlarged. Your doctor may be able to feel the enlarged gallbladder during a physical examination.
Digestive problems
Due to the tumor's location among other organs of the digestive system, a person with pancreatic cancer may experience loss of appetite, indigestion, unintentional weight loss, nausea, and general weakness, or oily diarrhea.
Pain in the abdomen or upper back
The tumor on the pancreas may cause pain which may also spread to the back. Many patients find this pain hard to describe.
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Blood Clots
Pancreatic cancer sometimes causes blood clots to form in the large veins of the body, most commonly in the legs. This is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Abnormal Fatty Tissue
In rare cases, pancreatic cancer may cause the fatty tissue underneath the skin to have an uneven texture. This is caused by the overproduction of enzymes that digest fat. This symptom is very uncommon.
