Pancreatic cancer may not cause any symptoms for a long time, and symptoms may be vague to begin with. The most common symptoms caused by cancer of the pancreas are described below. Some people may have only one of these symptoms.
Pain
This often begins with discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen, which sometimes spreads to the back. In the beginning the pain may come and go, but later on it can be more persistent. In some people the pain is worse while lying down and it’s relieved by sitting up or bending forward
Weight loss
It’s common for people with pancreatic cancer to have some weight loss and loss of appetite.
Jaundice
This is yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, itchy skin, dark yellow urine, and pale bowel motions. It can be caused by different illnesses including cancer of the pancreas. Jaundice can occur if the cancer develops in the head of the pancreas, and blocks the bile duct that carries bile from the liver to the intestine. The resulting build-up of bile in the body causes the symptoms mentioned above.
Other symptoms include:
- indigestion
- sickness
- bloating after meals
- feeling extremely tired.
Remember, most pain in the abdomen is not caused by cancer of the pancreas. However, you can arrange to see your doctor if you are worried.