by Steve Lussing

Created on: May 28, 2008

Early detection of pancreatic cancer is problematic because of this organ's location deep within the body. Diagnosis in the younger patient is often missed because this disease is generally associated with the middle-aged and older patient. Furthermore, the pancreas can continue to function normally until the tumor grows to a size large enough to cause any noticeable symptoms, at which point the cancer may have already reached a critical stage.

The obvious symptoms of pancreatic cancer are shared by other conditions like gall stones, hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome and stress, and even adrenal cancer. If the cancer is affecting an area of the pancreas near the bile duct, then symptoms of jaundice appear, in which the complexion assumes a yellow tint. If, however, the tumor is not placed near the bile duct, then this, and the associated symptoms, will not appear until it has grown large enough to spread there.

Often, the first sign that a person may have pancreatic cancer is itching of the skin. This will be followed by discoloration of the skin. Since the pancreas aids in digestion and produces insulin, the patient will notice that the solid waste has become pale and the urine appears dark, and symptoms similar to those of diabetes will be expressed. These may manifest in weight loss, a general lethargy and drowsiness, uncommon thirst, blurred vision, and increased urination. There will be a progressive feeling of sickness.

It is not hard to understand, then, that the position of the cancer in the pancreas largely determines the timeliness and the nature of the symptoms. Tumors that occur in the body of the pancreas or near the tail do not cause the symptoms of jaundice and what symptoms they do cause are usually vague and difficult to diagnose.

When the bile duct is not affected by a pancreatic tumor the symptoms then exhibit differently. There might be some discomfort or pain in the abdomen, often interpreted by the patient wrongly as possibly caused by gas. Indigestion may occur occasionally and this will initially only reinforce that idea. The occasional diarrhea experienced by the patient could just as easily be mild food poisoning, and this is logical, considering the other symptoms up to this point. It is when these are accompanied by unexplained weight loss, and symptoms of diabetes, along with a feeling of nausea and chronic back pain, when the sufferer decides that it is finally time to consult the doctor.

Perhaps the most certain indicator that something is wrong with this important bile producing organ is that fat does not appear to be properly digested. This is reflected in the appearance and nature of the solid waste, which will have irregular greasy and pale constituents which are difficult to flush away because they have a tendency to float (fat floats). The pancreas is the first organ to consider when this symptom manifests.

When the sufferer feels pain in the stomach and back which is worse on lying down and less severe when sitting or leaning forward then there is likelihood of a problem with the pancreas. About half of pancreatic cancer patients feel this pain, which occurs in the upper abdomen and toward the back. It is often described by patients as, "upper lower back pain."

As with all types of cancer, early diagnosis can lead to a positive prognosis. It is not wise to dismiss any of the symptoms described here, as prompt attention can mean survival, so it is most advisable to observe the old adage, "it is better to be safe, than sorry."

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