Pancreatic cancer can develop for a considerable period without causing obvious symptoms, and when signs do appear, they may resemble those of other medical conditions. This is one reason the disease is often diagnosed at a later stage.
Oncologist Alexander Seryakov explained that one possible symptom is pain in the upper abdomen, which may sometimes spread to the back. The location and character of the pain can vary depending on where the tumor is situated.
Some people may notice that the discomfort becomes more pronounced when lying down or after eating. However, abdominal or back pain is common and, in most cases, is caused by conditions other than pancreatic cancer.
Other Possible Warning Signs
Symptoms associated with pancreatic cancer can include:
Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
Itchy skin
Unexplained weight loss
Nausea or loss of appetite
Abdominal discomfort or bloating
Changes in digestion or bowel habits
Persistent fatigue
These symptoms are not specific to cancer and can occur with many other conditions. Nevertheless, persistent or unexplained symptoms—particularly jaundice or significant unintentional weight loss—should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Certain factors are associated with a higher risk of pancreatic cancer, including smoking, obesity, increasing age, chronic pancreatitis, some forms of diabetes, family history and certain inherited genetic conditions. Alcohol can also indirectly increase risk when heavy consumption contributes to chronic pancreatitis.
Having one or more risk factors does not mean that a person will develop pancreatic cancer. Diagnosis requires appropriate medical evaluation and, when indicated, imaging and other tests.
