Pancreatic carcinoma is characterized by abnormal and unregulated cell growth within the pancreas. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that approximately 42,470 people in the United States were diagnosed with pancreatic carcinoma in 2009. The early stages of pancreatic carcinoma may not cause symptoms, which is why this condition is sometimes referred to as a silent disease. As pancreatic carcinoma progresses, a number of symptoms may develop.
Abdominal or Back Pain
In advanced stages of pancreatic carcinoma, certain people may experience pain within the abdomen or back. Cancer within the pancreas may cause this organ to expand in size, which may push or compress the surrounding organs and cause pain. Nerves within and around the pancreas may also be affected by cancer, which can lead to discomfort and pain in some people. The pain may be mild to severe and is likely to occur sporadically in most people.
Weight Loss
People with pancreatic carcinoma commonly experience unexplained or unexpected weight loss. This condition may also cause some people to have little or no appetite.
Weakness
Pancreatic carcinoma may cause weakness to occur in certain people. Patients may complain of feeling extremely tired or may be unable to perform normal daily tasks, such as picking up a child or putting away grocery items.
Jaundice
Jaundice--a medical condition that causes the eyes and skin to appear yellow in color--occurs in at least 50 percent of pancreatic carcinoma patients, according to the ACS. If the body is unable to excrete bilirubin, a substance made by the liver, into bile, bilirubin may build up within the body and cause jaundice to occur. In people with pancreatic carcinoma, enlargement of the pancreas due to cancer formation may block the bile duct and cause bilirubin to build up in the body, which causes jaundice.
Enlargement of the Gallbladder
If the bile duct is blocked due to pancreatic carcinoma, bile may build up within the gallbladder. This build up of fluid within the gallbladder may cause the organ to become enlarged in people with pancreatic carcinoma.
Digestive Problems
Pancreatic carcinoma can prevent the pancreas from excreting the normal digestive enzymes needed within the intestine to help digest foods that contain fat. If this occurs, a person with pancreatic carcinoma may observe that her stool is abnormally bulky or greasy. Stools may also appear pale and will float in the toilet due to excessive fat content. In certain cases, the pancreatic carcinoma may block a portion of the stomach, which can cause pain, nausea or vomiting, particularly after eating.
