Common symptoms of pancreatic cancer

The early symptoms of pancreatic cancer are mainly upper abdominal discomfort or dull pain, bloating, and distension, accounting for about 70% to 90%. Since postprandial food stimulates the secretion of bile and pancreatic juice, and there is obstruction at the exit, the pressure in the bile duct and pancreatic duct increases, which can aggravate the pain or discomfort. Another significant symptom is loss of appetite or changes in eating habits, especially dislike for greasy and high-animal protein foods. More than 70% of patients have a significant weight loss and no other reasons can be found. In severe cases, the weight can drop by more than 30kg within 2 to 3 months. A small number of patients may also have diarrhea or steatorrhea.

This is because the patient's bile and pancreatic juice cannot enter the intestines, resulting in incomplete digestive function. Jaundice (80% to 90%) is a characteristic symptom of pancreatic head cancer. Due to the biological characteristics of pancreatic cancer surrounding ducts such as the bile duct and pancreatic duct infiltration, jaundice may appear early or after the aforementioned symptoms. The color of the stool becomes lighter as the jaundice deepens, and finally becomes white clay. The color of urine becomes darker and darker until it becomes soy sauce color. Most patients may suffer from skin itching due to obstructive jaundice, and scratches can be seen all over the body during physical examination. A small number of patients develop thrombophlebitis.

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