Symptoms of pancreatic cancer can be hard to spot. You may experience pain in the upper abdomen, bloating, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or a change in the color of your urine. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor. Your symptoms may also be caused by other medical conditions.
The symptoms of pancreatic cancer may be associated with other diseases. For example, you may have an enlarged gallbladder or a pancreatic cyst, which can block the flow of bile from the gallbladder to the small intestine. The blockage can cause a buildup of bilirubin, which can lead to itchy skin, dark urine, and light or clay-colored stools.
If your doctor suspects that you have pancreatic cancer, you may be referred to an endocrinologist. He or she will examine you and may send blood samples to be tested. The specialist will also determine what treatment you may need to cure your cancer. Depending on your specific case, the treatment may involve chemotherapy or radiation therapy. If chemotherapy is necessary, it will be administered through an injection into the bloodstream. If radiation therapy is required, it will be directed to the pancreas.
If you have any of the symptoms above, it is important to visit your doctor as soon as possible. If your symptoms are persistent, you may have pancreatic cancer. It is also important to make sure that you are maintaining a healthy weight and quit smoking. These are some of the best ways to reduce your risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
If your doctor suspects that you are suffering from pancreatic cancer, you may need to have surgery. You will likely need to see a gastroenterologist, an endocrinologist, or a surgeon. Your doctor will also determine what activities you should avoid while recovering from surgery.
Many people with pancreatic cancer have diarrhea. This is often due to a lack of proper pancreatic enzymes in the intestines. Diarrhea may also be accompanied by stomach pain and pale or light stools. Symptoms of pancreatic cancer may be more common in people who have had surgery to remove the ducts in their bile ducts.
If you have a family history of pancreatic cancer, you may be at an increased risk of developing the disease. This is because your genes may cause your body to produce a faulty gene. If you have any family history, you should talk to your doctor about your risk.
People who are obese are also at increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. If you are overweight, you may also have a risk of developing type 2 diabetes, another condition associated with pancreatic cancer. If you have type 2 diabetes, you should talk to your doctor about the risks of pancreatic cancer.
Jaundice is another common symptom of pancreatic cancer. The yellow color of your eyes and skin indicates the buildup of bilirubin in your blood. If you experience jaundice, your doctor will recommend testing to find out what caused it. If you are experiencing jaundice, you may also have dark urine and itchiness of the skin.
