National Pancreatic Cancer Month: Know the Signs

Often referred to as ‘the silent disease,’ pancreatic cancer affects roughly 64,000 Americans annually. Of those diagnosed, only 9% survive five years beyond diagnosis. As the nickname suggests, pancreatic cancer often flies under the radar in its early stages and poses a special diagnostic challenge for the medical community.

Due to its location behind the liver, stomach, spleen, and small intestine, tumors in the pancreas often can’t be detected during a routine physical. Paired with the sometimes-vague symptoms that are easy to confuse other illnesses, it’s no wonder that by the time a pancreatic tumor is detected, it’s often large or may have spread to other parts of the body.

Because there are no routine screenings for pancreatic cancer like there are for breast and colon cancer, it’s especially important to be alert to early signs of the disease.

These include:

Jaundice: Most people with pancreatic cancer will have jaundice as one of their first symptoms. Jaundice is caused by the buildup of bilirubin, a dark yellow-brown substance made in the liver, it often causes:

• dark-colored urine
• itchy skin
• yellowing skin and yellowing whites of the eyes
• oily bowel movements

Stomach or back pain: As it grows, cancers in the pancreas may press on nearby organs and cause pain in the stomach or back.

Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite: Often people with pancreatic cancer experience an initially subtle loss of appetite, which leads to unexplained weight loss. If the cancer presses on the stomach, it can cause nausea which can also lead to reduced calorie intake and more weight loss.

Blood clots: Pancreatic cancer can cause blood to clot more easily and may be the first sign of a tumor.  This can manifest as painful and red swelling in one of the calf muscles or sudden onset chest pain and shortness of breath; either set of symptoms should prompt immediate medical attention to ensure there isn’t a blood clot we can help you with.

It’s important to note that having one or more of these symptoms does not mean you have pancreatic cancer. However, if you’re experiencing any of them—and especially if you’re experiencing more than one—you should schedule an appointment with your doctor.

James Kalmuk, MD, is a medical oncologist at the Dartmouth Cancer Center at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.