Pancreatic Tumors' Symptoms
Pancreatic tumors' symptoms, especially the early symptoms, often manifest themselves subtly - a twinge of abdominal pain here, a feeling of nausea there. And unfortunately, early pancreatic tumor symptoms are often absent altogether. This is a very dangerous aspect of the tumors, for around 90% of all pancreas growths are malignant, or cancerous. By the time the symptoms escalate and multiply, the cancer is already deeply entrenched. But one can prevent this by being alert to the symptoms so as to catch the pancreatic tumor in its early stage. The symptoms include abdominal pain; jaundice and itchiness; nausea; spontaneous weight loss; chills and fever; cramping; depression, related to treatment side effects and the cancer's disease process; and loss of appetite. In their later stages, pancreatic tumors' symptoms grow to chronic pain, vomiting, nausea, malabsorption, abdominal distension (when the cancer has spread), and imbalanced blood sugar levels.
Abdominal pain is the most common symptom, with 3/4 of people with pancreatic tumors experiencing it. Occasionally back pain also occurs. The pain can feel visceral and dull. Often, the tumor's increasing size causes the discomfort, for the mass pushes against nearby structures. It may also touch nerves. Due to the pancreas's position behind the stomach, abdominal pain may increase after meals or while lying down. The stomach pushes the tumor, which then pushes its surroundings.
Jaundice is also common. It occurs when the pancreatic tumor is in an area like the head where it can obstruct the bile duct. The liver creates bile to aid fat digestion. The bile duct carries it to the upper part of the small intestine. When a tumor blocks the passage, the bile pigments build up in the skin and eyes. This creates a definite yellow hue called jaundice. Itchiness (pruritis) is a symptom of jaundice.
The obstructed bile duct also creates other pancreatic cancer symptoms, namely vomiting, nausea, malabsorption, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Because bile allows for proper digestion of fats, proteins, and starches, it is an indispensable part of the digestive system. Therefore, when it is lacking, it has serious effects. For example, nausea arises from the inability of the body to digest food. Weight loss and malabsorption (inadequate absorption of vitamins, minerals, and energy) occur for the same reason. Weight loss may also occur when the cancer is in its late stages, because its rapidly multiplying cells compete with normal cells for energy. Fever and chills also relate to bile duct obstruction. The blockage can result in an infection, and the body responds with fever as it tries to kill the microorganisms. Chills arise from the body's response to infection, but vaccine therapy can also cause them. The symptom of blood sugar imbalance, however, relates to the pancreas tumor's destruction of pancreas cells. One of the pancreas's main functions is to secrete a hormone called insulin, which regulates how much glucose is in the blood. When problems such as tumors interfere with insulin's ability to regulate glucose, diabetes results. Unfortunately, pancreatic tumors' symptoms resemble those of other disorders. So if you experience any of the above symptoms on a fairly regular basis, it would be wise to visit a doctor. Tests can help confirm their cause, and quick identification and action are essential.
|
