Early symptoms of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant tumor. Its early symptoms are often atypical and hidden, and are easily ignored or misdiagnosed. However, understanding the early symptoms of pancreatic cancer is crucial for timely detection and treatment. Early symptoms of pancreatic cancer include upper abdominal pain, indigestion, jaundice, weight loss, abnormal blood sugar, etc. If you have any discomfort, it is recommended to seek medical attention in time and take appropriate measures under the guidance of a doctor. The details are as follows:

1. Upper abdominal pain: In the early stages of pancreatic cancer, dull pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen often occurs. The pain may radiate to the back, especially when bending over or lying flat. For upper abdominal pain, it is first necessary to determine whether the cause of the pain is pancreatic cancer. Once diagnosed, treatment methods include surgical removal of the tumor, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, etc. to relieve pain and control the progression of the disease. For those who cannot undergo surgery, analgesics can be used for palliative treatment.

2. Indigestion: Pancreatic cancer may lead to a decrease in the secretion of digestive enzymes by the pancreas, thus causing symptoms of indigestion, such as poor appetite, upper abdominal distension, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. The treatment of indigestion should be based on the specific cause. For indigestion caused by pancreatic cancer, in addition to the treatment of the tumor itself, supportive treatment measures such as pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy can also be used to improve digestive function.

3. Jaundice: When pancreatic cancer compresses the bile duct, bile cannot be discharged normally, leading to the appearance of jaundice, which manifests as yellow skin and eyes, dark yellow urine, and lighter stool color. The treatment of jaundice requires the first relief of bile duct obstruction. For jaundice caused by pancreatic cancer, surgical methods such as biliary drainage and cholechojejunostomy can be used to restore the normal excretion of bile. At the same time, treatment of the tumor itself is also essential.

4. Weight loss: In the early stages of pancreatic cancer, patients often lose weight for no apparent reason. This is because the tumor consumes nutrients in the body and may affect appetite. The treatment of weight loss needs to take into account the nutritional status and the tumor condition. For malnutrition, nutritional support therapy should be strengthened, such as supplementing high-protein, high-calorie foods. At the same time, treatment of the tumor itself is also the key to controlling weight loss.

5. Abnormal blood sugar: Some pancreatic cancer patients may have abnormal blood sugar in the early stage, which is manifested as increased blood sugar or worsening diabetes symptoms. The treatment of abnormal blood sugar should be carried out according to the specific situation. For worsening diabetes symptoms, blood sugar control should be strengthened, and the dosage of hypoglycemic drugs should be adjusted or other hypoglycemic drugs should be used instead. At the same time, the treatment of pancreatic cancer itself is also the key to controlling abnormal blood sugar.

Treatments for these symptoms require individualized treatment plans based on specific circumstances. Early diagnosis and timely treatment are crucial to improving pancreatic cancer survival and quality of life.