What are the symptoms of pancreatic cancer

Clinical symptoms of pancreatic cancer include:

(1) Abdominal pain: It is an early symptom of pancreatic cancer and is more common in pancreatic body and tail cancer. It is located in the upper abdomen, around the umbilicus, or right upper abdomen. It is colic in nature, paroxysmal or persistent, and progressively worsens with dull pain. Most of the pain radiates to the waist and back. It worsens when lying down and at night. The pain can be relieved when sitting, standing, leaning forward, or walking.

(2) Jaundice: Jaundice may occur at a certain stage of the disease. Generally, jaundice is more common in pancreatic head cancer and occurs earlier. Jaundice is usually absent when the tumor is confined to the body or tail. Jaundice is usually obstructive and progressively worsens, accompanied by symptoms such as skin itching.

(3) Patients experience rapid and significant weight loss, which is often accompanied by cachexia in the late stages of pancreatic cancer.

(4) Fatigue and loss of appetite are common, and may be accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, abdominal distension, and nausea. Some cases may also experience steatorrhea, hyperglycemia, and positive diabetes in the urine.

(5) Due to ulceration or infection of the tumor, bile duct infection may occur and fever may occur.

(6) Some pancreatic body and tail tumors may cause thrombophlebitis of the limb veins, resulting in local edema of the limbs.