Are there any early symptoms of pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer often has no obvious symptoms in the early stages, but some patients may experience mild indigestion, upper abdominal pain or jaundice. Because these symptoms are often confused with daily minor illnesses and are easily ignored, many pancreatic cancer patients are already in the late stages when they are diagnosed.

In the early stages of pancreatic cancer, non-specific symptoms may include mild upper abdominal discomfort, dull pain in the back, loss of appetite, and weight loss. If the tumor affects the bile duct, the patient may gradually develop jaundice such as yellowing of the skin, darkening of urine, and lighter stool. At the same time, it may also be accompanied by symptoms of pancreatic dysfunction, such as increased blood sugar or new onset of diabetes. If the tumor compresses the duodenum or bile duct outlet, some patients may experience nausea, vomiting, or indigestion. It should be noted that these symptoms are often mild when they occur, may occur intermittently, or may be confused with eating habits and gastrointestinal problems, resulting in a reduced probability of timely medical treatment.

In the early stages of pancreatic cancer, non-specific symptoms may include mild upper abdominal discomfort, dull pain in the back, loss of appetite, and weight loss. If the tumor affects the bile duct, the patient may gradually develop jaundice such as yellowing of the skin, darkening of urine, and lighter stool. At the same time, it may also be accompanied by symptoms of pancreatic dysfunction, such as increased blood sugar or new onset of diabetes. If the tumor compresses the duodenum or bile duct outlet, some patients may experience nausea, vomiting, or indigestion. It should be noted that these symptoms are often mild when they occur, may occur intermittently, or may be confused with eating habits and gastrointestinal problems, resulting in a reduced probability of timely medical treatment.

In order to detect pancreatic cancer as early as possible, people with high-risk factors (such as family history, long-term smoking and alcohol abuse, chronic pancreatitis or obesity) are recommended to undergo regular abdominal imaging examinations, such as abdominal ultrasound or enhanced CT, and serum tumor marker tests (such as CA19-9 tests) when necessary. Maintain a healthy lifestyle, avoid staying up late, control weight, quit smoking and drinking, and pay attention to a diversified diet. At the same time, if persistent upper abdominal pain, jaundice or rapid weight loss occurs, you need to seek medical attention immediately to avoid delaying treatment.