The pancreas is an organ that helps with digestion and sugar metabolism and is situated behind the lower portion of the stomach. A rare form of cancer called pancreatic cancer typically develops in the lining of the pancreatic ducts. Pancreatic cancer rarely has any early symptoms, and when they do, the disease is typically far along. This is because early tumors cannot be found during routine examinations because the pancreas is located deep inside the body. Your risk of developing pancreatic cancer can be increased by smoking, diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic inflammation, a family history of the disease, and a few genetic syndromes.
The most typical and unusual pancreatic cancer warning symptoms include:
1. Constant stomach ache: Since your pancreas is located in your abdomen, behind your stomach, you should not disregard persistent abdominal pain. Due to the mounting pressure on the organ, the patient’s stomach begins to hurt gradually. Later on, it can get worse and last longer. It is regarded as the most typical sign of pancreatic cancer.
2. Back ache: It is also said to be common, but it only happens when the pancreas’ nerves are affected by the cancer’s radiation. A doctor should be consulted, especially if it happens frequently.
3. Skin rashes: Pancreatic cancer is one of many reasons why people have itchy skin. When there is an accumulation of bilirubin in the skin and there is jaundice, the skin turns yellow and becomes itchy.
4. Unexplained weight loss: Weight loss may indicate pancreatic cancer for a number of reasons. As the disease spreads, it depletes your body’s vitality, causing you to lose weight. You might feel full because the tumor is pressing on your stomach. Additionally, a malfunctioning pancreas may not be able to produce enough of the digestive juices required for your body to process nutrients in the first place.
5. Digestive problems: When your bathroom habits are normal but you experience light-colored, oily, or watery stools or stools that smell bad, this could be a sign of pancreatic cancer. This type of problem develops when the bile duct is blocked, which prevents bilirubin from reaching your stools and makes it challenging for your body to properly digest fats.
6. The skin and eyes are turning yellow: You should never ignore yellowing of your skin or eyes. Jaundice can be brought on by illnesses like hepatitis and liver disease. Jaundice can also be caused by a small tumor at the very end of the pancreas, which suggests a connection between the two diseases.
7. Bloody urine: The majority of people think that having dark urine is a sign of jaundice. However, the urine turns darker when the blood’s bilirubin levels rise, turning the liquid a brownish appearance.
8. Suddenly developing diabetes: Don’t ignore diabetes if it suddenly develops in an older age. Because pancreatic cancer kills the cells that produce insulin, blood sugar levels rise and rapid onset diabetes or late onset diabetes may result.
9. Blood clots In some cases, a deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in a big vein) may be the earliest indication of pancreatic cancer. It typically manifests as pain, edema, and redness in the leg where the blood clot is located. Additionally, a portion of the blood clot may enter your lungs, impairing your ability to breathe.
10. Explicable exhaustion: You should see a doctor if you have acute fatigue for no apparent reason. All diseases, including pancreatic cancer, can leave you feeling extremely worn out and interfere with your regular day-to-day activities.