Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms and Diagnosis

Pancreatic cancer often develops without obvious symptoms, especially in the early phases. When symptoms do appear, the cancer is often advanced.

Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms

There are two main types of pancreatic cancer. Exocrine pancreatic cancer accounts for over 90% of cases. The next largest category is neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer.

Each cancer type may vary in its symptoms and prognosis.

Exocrine pancreatic cancer signs and symptoms

Symptoms and signs of exocrine pancreatic cancer can include:

  • Blood clots.
  • Enlarged abdomen from a swollen gall bladder.
  • Indigestion.
  • Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes, dark urine).
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Pale, greasy stools that float in the toilet.
  • Sudden onset of diabetes.
  • Tiredness (fatigue).
  • Trouble digesting food.
  • Unexplained and rapid weight loss.
  • Upper abdominal pain or middle back pain.

Endocrine pancreatic cancer signs and symptoms

There are two types of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors:

  • Functional. Produce hormones and cause hormone-related symptoms.
  • Non-functional. Do not cause hormone-related symptoms.

Functional tumors can create various hormones, which carry their own related symptoms. These include:

  • Carcinoid tumors. Flushing, diarrhea, wheezing, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, weakness, heart murmurs.
  • Gastrinoma, or Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome. Acid reflux, burning abdominal pain, diarrhea, excess fat in the stools, weight loss.
  • Glucaganoma. Diabetes, skin swelling or irritation, mouth sores, anemia, diarrhea, weight loss.
  • Insulinoma. Low blood sugar, which can produce heart palpitations, sweating, confusion, weakness, and seizures.
  • Somatostatinoma. Diabetes, gallstones, loss of appetite, nausea, weight loss, diarrhea, jaundice.
  • VIPomas. Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, weakness, flushing, digestion problems.

Nonfunctional tumors do not produce hormones. The symptoms of these tumors often do not show until the tumor grows large. They include:

  • Jaundice.
  • Stomach pain.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Weight loss.

Contact Us About Pancreatic Cancer Care

To learn more about pancreatic cancer care or to make an appointment, you can:

pancreatic cancer cells

Pancreatic Cancer Screenings and Exams

You should think about getting screened if you:

  • Have a family history of pancreatic cancer.
  • Are a male over the age of 55.
  • Have diabetes and are over 50 years old.

Read more about pancreatic cancer screenings.