A study regarding 22 symptoms of pancreatic cancer was published in November 2021. Note that not all of them are solely related to this disease and may only be due to mild illnesses.
- In 10-20% of pancreatic cancers, the disease can be cured by surgically removing the tumour. If the tumor is inoperable, chemotherapy can slow the progression of the disease, alleviate symptoms and improve the patient’s quality of life.
- In 10-20% of pancreatic cancers, the disease can be cured by surgically removing the tumour.
- If the tumor is inoperable, chemotherapy can slow the progression of the disease, alleviate symptoms and improve the patient’s quality of life.
According to’National Cancer Institute, there were 14,184 new cases of pancreatic cancer in France in 2018, of which 51% were in men. It is the 9th most common cancer in men and the 7th in women. The disease infects pancreatic cells. Over time, without treatment, cancer cells can grow out of control. They can also migrate to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, the liver or the peritoneum, the membrane that surrounds the stomach.
Pancreatic cancer is detected too late
According to the website of Vidal, French medical book intended for health professionals, 80 to 90% of pancreatic cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage because they remain asymptomatic for a long time. However, scientists published a study in 2021 in which they identified 22 little-known symptoms of this cancer. The results of their work have been published in the British Journal of General Practice.
Feeling thirsty and dark urine are two symptoms of pancreatic cancer
To reach these results, the scientists analyzed data from 24,236 patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in England between 2000 and 2017. They compared their various symptoms during the year preceding the diagnosis of the disease. Of this long list, two seem to be quite surprising: thirst and a feeling of dark urine.
Twenty other symptoms of pancreatic cancer
Other symptoms that recur regularly: yellowing of the skin, bleeding in the stomach or intestine, difficulty swallowing, diarrhea, change in bowel habits, vomiting, indigestion, “mass” or swelling in the abdomen, abdominal pain , weight loss, constipation, fatty stools, nausea, gas, heartburn, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, itching and finally, back pain.
Some symptoms not specific to pancreatic cancer
The majority of these symptoms appeared a year before the patient was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. But fear not if you experience one or more of these symptoms, as they are clearly not specific to pancreatic cancer and therefore not necessarily a sign of a serious illness. Currently, there is no cure for pancreatic cancer. It is usually diagnosed at an advanced age, around 75 for men and 80 for women.