Pancreas cancer symptoms are difficult to be noticed; this makes it even harder to diagnose this deadly disease. Many of the possible indicators do not show out until the disease is in very advanced stages. This article will give you some symptoms that could indicate you are suffering pancreas cancer.
Symptoms
Stomach pains
The very basic symptoms of the disease is a feeling of soreness and pain in the high abdomen. Most patients will tell that the pain goes and spreads around the back. For patients experiencing this, they mostly experience alleviation on leaning forward. The symptom is present to almost eighty percent of the patients, but it will not be felt until the disease is in its advanced stages. The pain and discomfort increase after eating.
Jaundice
This is when the skin turns yellow. Pancreatic cancer blocks the bile duct which flows via the pancreas head. It is a very common sign of the disease. Tumors developing in the pancreas are the cause of jaundice. Patients will also have dark urine and itching skin if jaundice they are suffering is as a result of pancreatic cancer. Jaundice can either be painful or painless, almost half of patients with this cancer suffer painful jaundice.
Blood clots
Is a condition where blood clots develop in the hepatic portal veins, surface veins, and abstruse veins. It is not exclusive to pancreas cancer patients but highly associated with it. Make a point of seeing the doctor for a diagnosis if you realize such.
Depression
This is another pancreatic cancer symptom although it cannot be fully associated with it. Depression develops even way before the disease is detected.
Change in stools
Patients are suffering this disease experience constipation or diarrhea or both. Diarrhea is caused by absences of pancreatic enzymes in the intestines. Due to medications, the passage of food in the intestines tends to slow down. This results to dry, hard and difficult to pass stool, a condition referred to as constipation.
Diabetes
This is a condition where the body is not in a position to make use or properly make use of insulin, a liquid produced by the pancreas. This insulin helps the body to properly use glucose. When the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, then one suffers diabetes. This might happen to patients suffering pancreas cancer.
The above pancreas cancer symptoms may not be noticed until very late stages of the disease. It is important to ask your doctor for screening if you notice any of the above. If any of your family members has ever being diagnosed, then you need to be extra careful and see the doctor if you experience any of the above.