Introduction
Pancreatic cancer is one of the more aggressive forms of cancer, whose early detection is challenging as it does not cause any symptoms in the early stages. Often, pancreatic cancer is detected after it has spread to the nearby organs.
Most of the pancreatic cancer symptoms are vague and often mimic those of common, non-severe digestive conditions. Abdominal pain is one of them. It is one of the most important pancreatic cancer symptoms, and unfortunately, it is often brushed off as a sign of an upset stomach.
In this article, we will be learning why pancreatic cancer causes abdominal pain, what other symptoms are experienced by pancreatic cancer patients, and what one must do when they start experiencing pancreatic cancer symptoms.
How Pancreatic Cancer Causes Abdominal Pain?
The pain associated with pancreatic cancer is often dull and begins in the middle of the abdomen and slowly progresses towards the back. Often experienced as an aching pain, it may worsen while eating or lying down. Some patients tend to find relief by leaning forward.
That said, pancreatic cancer causes abdominal pain due to the following reasons:
Tumor Growth: As the pancreatic tumor grows, it exerts pressure on the nearby organs, blood vessels, and nerves, which can cause pain.
Pancreatic Inflammation: Cancer growth can lead to pancreatic inflammation, which causes pain.
Ductal Obstruction: Cancer growth in the pancreas can block the pancreatic duct or bile duct, leading to the accumulation of digestive enzymes and bile, which can lead to pain.
Metastasis: As pancreatic cancer advances, it spreads to nearby organs and the abdominal lining, which causes pain throughout the abdominal region.
Other Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
Along with abdominal symptoms, pancreatic cancer patients may experience the following symptoms:
- Jaundice
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling full quickly with less food intake
- New onset of diabetes or worsening of existing diabetes
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Increased blood clotting in the legs or lungs
- Digestive problems (constipation, diarrhea, changes in the appearance of stools)
- Unintended weight loss
When to See a Specialist?
One must see a general physician or specialist when they start experiencing one or more of the above-discussed symptoms persistently. If these symptoms do not get better with medication or worsen over time, a proper evaluation should be done.
The doctor may perform a physical examination and recommend a few tests to understand the cause of the symptoms experienced. If pancreatic cancer is diagnosed, the patient will be referred to an oncologist for treatment.
Conclusion
While abdominal pain is one of the most commonly observed pancreatic cancer symptoms, patients also experience other symptoms. Learning about different pancreatic cancer symptoms and seeing a specialist when one or more of these symptoms are persistently experienced can aid in the early detection and effective management of this disease.
