Signs of pancreatic cancer - by John Louie Ramos

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by John Louie Ramos

Created on: September 11, 2010 Last Updated: September 18, 2010

Often referred to as a "silent killer" because of its poor prognosis, cancer of the pancreas better known as pancreatic cancer is a severe dysfunction caused by an abnormal mass of tissue in the pancreas. Pancreatic cancer is considered by medical experts as one of the deadliest and most lethal forms of cancer.

According to the United States National Cancer Institute (NCI), an estimated 43,140 new cases of pancreatic cancer will be reported by the end of 2010 resulting to 36,800 deaths related to the said disease. Thus, government institutions and other non-profit organizations raise awareness regarding pancreatic cancer.

From the year 2003-2007, the NCI have collected statistics showing that the median age for diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is stuck at 72 years old while the median death age for Americans suffering from such disease is 73 - just a year after diagnosis.

Needless to say, pancreatic cancer isn't detected until its late stages usually when the disease and complications have spread all throughout the patient's body. However, their are some tell-tale signs that although may not necessary mean that the patient is suffering from pancreatic cancer can serve as the starting point for further preventive measures.

Here below are some of the most common signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer.

a) Anorexia

Anorexia or the sensation of decreased appetite, loss of appetite is associated with pancreatic cancer although it may be a result of other complications and illness such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, AIDS, anxiety disorders or even depression.

b) Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is an abnormal and resurgent pain that is felt at the upper abdomen and can spread up to the back and other areas of the arms and chest.

c) Nausea

Nausea is excessive vomiting normally associated with sea sickness. Hence, nausea is pretty vague as it is existent not just in pancreatic cancer conditions but as well as in many other disease and illness including meningitis, appendicitis and food poisoning.

d) Itchy Skin

Although diagnosed as a non-lethal dermatological condition, itchiness in the skin can be as serious as pancreatic cancer of other forms of skin cancer.

e) Jaundice

Jaundice or the "yellowing" of skin pigmentation and other parts of the body including the white part of the eyes apart from pancreatic cancer is often associated with several other disease such as hepatitis and hemolytic anemia.

References:

National Cancer Institute

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Signs of pancreatic cancer