Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms

The most common symptoms of pancreatic cancer are pain in your abdomen or back, weight loss and jaundice.  

But these issues can also be caused by other conditions, such as gallstones, hepatitis or even heavy drinking. So, when should you see a doctor about them? 

“Most people with abdominal pain won’t have pancreatic cancer,” says pancreatic cancer surgeon Matthew Katz, M.D. “But any pain that persists beyond a couple of weeks should still get checked out. And, if you’re experiencing rapid weight loss without trying, you should mention it to your doctor as soon as you notice it. Anyone whose skin or eyes turn yellow should be evaluated immediately.” 

Here’s how some patients knew they had pancreatic cancer, in their own words.  

Abdominal pain that radiates to your back 

“I had a little dull pain start just below my left breast in September of 2016,” adds Reneata Benjamin, a retired elementary school librarian who was 53 when she was diagnosed with stage III pancreatic cancer. “I was rubbing it so much that people started asking me what was wrong. Finally, my daughter told me I needed to see a doctor because it just kept getting worse.” 

Sometimes, the combination of back and abdominal pain can make pancreatic cancer patients feel like there’s a belt of pain wrapped around their middle. “The classic presentation is to have abdominal pain that radiates to the back,” explains Katz. 

Jaundice 

Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin or eyes, is another telltale sign of pancreatic cancer. 

“My wife noticed my skin turning yellow while putting calamine lotion on my back to soothe some itching,” remembers Steven Adami, a Wyoming rancher who was 62 when he was diagnosed with stage II pancreatic cancer. “I called the doctor, and he was so concerned that he told me to be at his office in an hour.” 

Unexplained weight loss 

Unintentional weight loss is a common symptom of many gastrointestinal cancers, including pancreatic cancer. 

This weight loss could be due to: 

• inflammatory proteins secreted by the cancer 
• jaundice, pain or other symptoms 
• physical obstructions in the gastrointestinal tract  

All of these can limit a person’s appetite and ability to get enough nourishment. 

If you experience rapid, unintentional weight loss, it’s important to tell your doctor. So, what counts as rapid weight loss?  

“Losing 5% or more of your body weight in a month would be very concerning,” says Katz. “But losing anything over 10 pounds, even if it’s over an extended period, such as 3 to 6 months, should be investigated if it can’t be explained by a change in diet, activity level or medications.” 

Don’t dismiss non-specific symptoms 

Other symptoms of pancreatic cancer include: 

• Dark urine or light-colored stools 
• Bloating, or a feeling of fullness 
• Nausea, vomiting or indigestion 
• Fatigue 
• Lack of appetite 
• Sudden-onset diabetes 

Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer doesn’t often produce symptoms in its earliest stages. So, by the time they start appearing, the disease is often advanced, when it’s harder to treat. That’s why Katz says you shouldn’t dismiss even vague symptoms.  

“I can’t tell you the number of patients I’ve seen who had aches and pains or diarrhea for months and just didn’t think it was worth mentioning to their doctor,” Katz says. “Don’t dismiss these symptoms, particularly if they’re persistent or in the elderly. While they may turn out to be caused by something other than pancreatic cancer, they’re worth evaluating.” 

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