Top 12 Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms (In Early & Late Stages)

Pancreatic cancer symptoms can include yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine, pale stools, weight loss, abdominal pain, indigestion, nausea and frequent vomiting.

It is common for patients to experience very mild symptoms in the early stages of pancreatic cancer, which is why this cancer is often diagnosed when a tumor has already developed.

If pancreatic cancer symptoms appear, it is important to consult a gastroenterologist, oncologist or family doctor, who will likely order tests like an abdominal ultrasound or CT scan to confirm a diagnosis.

Signs and symptoms

Pancreatic cancer symptoms may include:

1. Yellow skin and eyes

Yellow skin and eyes, also known as jaundice, occurs when the tumor that grows in the head of the pancreas compresses the bile ducts. This interferes with the release of bile into the intestines, leading to an accumulation of bilirubin in the body.

Jaundice can also appear when cancer grows in the body or tail of the pancreas and spreads throughout the rest of the pancreas or when a tumor spreads to the liver.

2. Dark urine

Dark urine is another symptom of pancreatic cancer, and is a sign of bile duct obstruction. Dark urine can start to appear due to accumulated bilirubin in the body.

3. Pale stools

Pale or white stools are another sign of bile duct obstruction.  Bile is made-up of bilirubin, cholesterol and bile salts, and bilirubin is what gives the stools their characteristic yellow or brown color. When bile, or bilirubin, is not released into the intestines, pale or white stools can be noted. 

4. Itchy skin

Pancreatic cancer can cause itchy skin all over the body due to the build-up of bilirubin in the blood. High levels of bilirubin will lead to the deposit of bilirubin in the skin.

5. Abdominal pain

Abdominal pain, which can radiate to the lower back, can be felt due to the growth of the tumor, which can compress nearby organs and nerves.

6. Indigestion

Pancreatic cancer can also cause indigestion, again due to bile duct obcstruction.

Bile is important for fat digestion of fats in the intestine and when it is not released in normal or sufficient quantities, it can make it difficult to digest fatty foods.

7. Lack of appetite and weight loss

Lack of appetite and unintentional weight loss can occur due to changes in digestion and metabolism related to the development of cancer.

8. Nausea and vomiting

Pancreatic cancer can cause nausea and vomiting when the tumor presses on the stomach or blocks the small intestine, causing food to accumulate in these areas.

This can also be a cause of lack of appetite.

9. Formation of blood clots

Pancreatic cancer can promote increased coagulation in the blood, which can promote the formation of blood clots.

This formation of blood clots can affect the veins in the legs and cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can be an initial sign of pancreatic cancer in some people. 

Blood clots can be life-threatening if they travel to the lungs and cause pulmonary embolisms.

10. Onset of diabetes

Pancreatic cancer can result in the development of diabetes when the tumor interferes with insulin production.

When pancreatic cancer causes the onset of diabetes, it is common for other symptoms to appear, such as abnormal blood sugar levels, fatigue, and increased urination.

11. Enlarged gallbladder

Pancreatic cancer can cause an enlarged gallbladder due to obstruction of the bile ducts, which results in the accumulation of bile in the gallbladder. This can lead to an increase in its size.

12. Liver enlargement

The liver may also become enlarged, especially if pancreatic cancer has spread to the liver and formed metastases.

The enlargement of both the liver and the gallbladder can be felt by the doctor during the physical examination and confirmed through imaging tests.

Symptoms in early stages

Early stage pancreatic cancer can cause symptoms such as loss of appetite, indigestion and changes in bowel movement frequency, which usually take time to be noticed and can be confused with symptoms of anxiety or constipation.

This is why pancreatic cancer is normally only diagnosed at a more advanced stage, when the cancer has already developed outside the pancreas.

What to do

If you notice pancreatic cancer symptoms, especially yellow skin and eyes, weight loss, indigestion or frequent abdominal pain, you should consult a gastroenterologist or a family doctor for an evaluation.

In these cases, the doctor may order tests, such as as abdominal ultrasound, a CT scan or blood work to determine whether there are any abnormalities present that may be indicative of pancreatic cancer.

When pancreatic cancer is diagnosed, the patient is typically referred to an oncologist for targeted treatment.

If you experience symptoms of a DVT or pulmonary embolism, you should proceed to the nearest emergency room or call 911.