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Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms

Pancreatic cancer symptoms are sometimes non-specific and varied. Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that affects the pancreas. It is a malignant neoplasm of the pancreas. This type of cancer is usually diagnosed in the advanced stages because the patient does not normally show any signs or symptoms in the early stages. Therefore, pancreatic cancer is sometimes labeled a silent killer. Later when the signs and symptoms manifest, they are usually varied and non-specific.

One of the symptoms is, pain in the upper abdomen. This pain normally radiates to the back and is usually relieved when the patient leans forward. Loss of appetite or anorexia, nausea and vomiting are also other pancreatic cancer symptoms. Significant weight loss and painless jaundice are other indicators of the disease. Jaundice is the yellowing of the skin and eyes and may be accompanied by dark urine.

When pancreatic cancer affects the head of the pancreas, it obstructs the common bile duct as it runs through the pancreas. This may lead to pale-colored stool and steatorrhea. Trousseau sign is another symptom associated with pancreatic cancer in which blood clots form spontaneously in the portal blood vessels, the deep veins of the extremities or in the superficial veins anywhere in the body.

Clinical depression has also been included in the pancreatic cancer symptoms. It sometimes happens before the cancer is diagnosed although the mechanism for this association is yet to be known. Surgery is normally used to treat pancreatic cancer. After surgery, chemotherapy removes any remaining cancerous tissue.

About the Author

Mercy Maranga Reports on Health and Fitness issues. Visit Her Site here for more information on cancer and its treatment Cancer