Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms

The main symptoms of pancreatic cancer include the following:

• Pain in the abdomen, the back, or both
  
• Weight loss, often associated with the following:
  
  • Loss of appetite (anorexia)
    
  • Bloating
    
  • Diarrhea or fatty bowel movements that float in water (steatorrhea)
    
  • Rarely may present with new diabetes in a person with weight loss and nausea
    
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)

The symptoms of pancreatic cancer are generally vague and can easily be attributed to other less serious and more common conditions. This lack of specific symptoms explains the high number of people who have a more advanced stage of disease when pancreatic cancer is discovered.

When to Seek Medical Care

Seeking immediate medical attention is important if any of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer occur. If pain, unexplained weight loss, or jaundice persists despite initial medical treatments, further evaluation should be pursued in a timely fashion.