Pancreatic cancer has claimed the lives of many people, including a number of popular individuals like businessman Steve Jobs of Apple and actor Patrick Swayze of the movies Dirty Dancing and Ghost. Their cancers were already at an advanced stage when they were diagnosed. Pancreatic cancers spread stealthily in the body; they do not show early warning signs particular to the condition.
What is Pancreas Cancer?
The pancreas is an organ in the body located between the stomach and the backbone. It is surrounded by the liver, the intestine, and other organs. It has two different kinds of glands, the exocrine and the endocrine.
Cancer can form on both the exocrine and endocrine cells of the pancreas. These tumors have their own signs and symptoms …show more content…
Skin irritation or itchiness – Itchy hands and feet are side effects of jaundice, so take note!
4. Diminished appetite – Loss of appetite with no rational explanation should be checked. Other pancreatic cancer patients observe sudden lack of interest in food and a quick feeling of satiety.
5. Minor pain in the abdomen – The cancer can grow rather large and may start pushing on the surrounding organs and cause minimal pain in the back and in the abdomen.
6. Swelling of the Gall Bladder – The same thing that causes jaundice also causes the gall bladder to swell. On the positive side, an enlarged gall bladder can be seen and felt on imaging tests and physical exams which can lead to early diagnosis of the cancer.
7. Arbitrary loss of weight – Most people usually want to lose weight, but if you are not trying to lose weight and still losing pounds for no reason at all, this should be a cause for worry.
8. Pale, loose and seemingly weightless stool – This usually happens when we are unable to digest fatty foods. This is a sign that digestive enzymes are not reaching the intestines; something is preventing them. Maybe it is time to pay more attention to your stool.
9. Dark-colored urine – Darkening of the urine is usually brought about by
What is Pancreas Cancer?
The pancreas is an organ in the body located between the stomach and the backbone. It is surrounded by the liver, the intestine, and other organs. It has two different kinds of glands, the exocrine and the endocrine.
Cancer can form on both the exocrine and endocrine cells of the pancreas. These tumors have their own signs and symptoms …show more content…
Skin irritation or itchiness – Itchy hands and feet are side effects of jaundice, so take note!
4. Diminished appetite – Loss of appetite with no rational explanation should be checked. Other pancreatic cancer patients observe sudden lack of interest in food and a quick feeling of satiety.
5. Minor pain in the abdomen – The cancer can grow rather large and may start pushing on the surrounding organs and cause minimal pain in the back and in the abdomen.
6. Swelling of the Gall Bladder – The same thing that causes jaundice also causes the gall bladder to swell. On the positive side, an enlarged gall bladder can be seen and felt on imaging tests and physical exams which can lead to early diagnosis of the cancer.
7. Arbitrary loss of weight – Most people usually want to lose weight, but if you are not trying to lose weight and still losing pounds for no reason at all, this should be a cause for worry.
8. Pale, loose and seemingly weightless stool – This usually happens when we are unable to digest fatty foods. This is a sign that digestive enzymes are not reaching the intestines; something is preventing them. Maybe it is time to pay more attention to your stool.
9. Dark-colored urine – Darkening of the urine is usually brought about by