9 Early Warning Signs of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer has become a prime cause of concern these days. Millions of global patients lose their lives due to this fatal disease every year. Exact cause of this disease is still unidentifiable. Most healthcare experts believe that genetic mutations are responsible for the occurrence of this condition. Early detection of this life-threatening disease can help save many lives. Therefore, patients experiencing abnormal symptoms should seek an immediate medical care. However, pancreatic cancer treatment cost may vary depending on severity of disease.

Early Warning Signs of Pancreatic Cancer

The following list exhibits the early warning signs of pancreatic cancer.

1. Diabetes - Patients may get diabetes all of a sudden even without any family history of diabetes. Pancreatic cancer affects the production of insulin in the beginning which makes it difficult for the pancreas to regulate blood sugar level in patients. Failure of managing blood sugar level can lead to diabetes. Patients may start to feel thirsty and hungry, and their urination frequency may also increase.
2. Itchy skin, Palms, And Soles of Feet - Bile duct gets blocked due to development of cancer in pancreas. It may start accumulating in patient’s body. An excessive amount of bile in blood can result in itchy feet, skin, and palms. Patients observing this symptom should go to a doctor for a precise diagnosis.
3. Lack of Appetite - Cancerous tumor in pancreas can adversely affect the digestive enzymes. Patients may feel stuffed even after eating a small meal. It may not necessarily mean that patient has cancer but a sudden drop in appetite is definitely a big issue. Patients must get a health check-up to avoid complications in future.
4. Yellowing of Eyes And Skin - An underlying pancreatic cancer may lead to jaundice. People may notice yellowing of skin and eyes due to abnormality in bile duct.
5. Changes in Taste - In a recent healthcare study, it has been found that patients with pancreatic cancer can lose their taste for beverages like tea, coffee, and wine. They may start to avoid coffee and wine without any specific reason. In addition to this, they may also lose interest in foods they used to crave.
6. Abdominal Pain - Abdominal pain is the most prominent sign of pancreatic cancer. Cancerous cells may spread to nearby organs and cause severe pain. Patients may also experience pain in lower back region due to nerve compression.
7. Gall Bladder or Liver Enlargement - Blocked bile duct due to pancreatic cancer may affect gallbladder or liver. Accumulation of bile may cause the gallbladder to swell and enlarge. In advanced stages, it may also cause liver enlargement. Patients may experience nausea and discomforting pain in gallbladder area. Doctors may help diagnose the exact problem with the help of abdominal evaluation and other diagnostic tests.
8. Smelly And Pale Stools - Pale and clay-like stools can indicate a lot of digestive problems including pancreatic cancer. If patients observe smelly and pale colored stools for more than two weeks, they must seek medical care.
9. Unexplained Weight Loss - Sudden weight loss without doing any physical exertion is mostly an indication of underlying cancer. If patients notice a sudden and unexplained weight loss, they should visit a doctor immediately for precise health analysis.

One should not ignore these signs and symptoms and visit a well-experienced oncologist as early as possible. Surgeons may order certain imaging tests for deciding an appropriate pancreatic cancer treatment.