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Recognize the Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that often appears without obvious symptoms. The absence of obvious symptoms in the early stages and the rapid spread of cancer cells to other organs makes pancreatic cancer very dangerous. The pancreas is an organ located behind the stomach. This organ functions to produce the hormone insulin which regulates blood sugar (endocrine function) and produces digestive enzymes to break down food in the intestine (exocrine function). Pancreatic cancer occurs when pancreatic cells grow out of control due to changes in genetic traits. Pancreatic cancer sufferers have the lowest life expectancy compared to sufferers of other types of cancer, which is less than 4%. This is because the symptoms of pancreatic cancer are not specific, so it is usually only detected when it has spread. Recognizing and being aware of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer can help detect this disease early, so that treatment can be given as early as possible.

Symptoms of Pancreatic Exocrine Cancer

Here are some of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer that attacks the exocrine part of the pancreas:

1. Jaundice (jaundice)

Jaundice or jaundice is a yellowish-colored skin or eye condition due to increased bilirubin. Bilirubin is a brownish yellow substance produced by the liver and passed into the intestine as bile latex. Its function is to digest fat. Pancreatic cancer, especially if it is located in the head of the pancreas that is close to the gallbladder, can suppress the bile duct and obstruct the flow of bilirubin into the intestine. As a result, bilirubin builds up and makes the skin or eye color turn yellowish. Jaundice is the most important symptom of pancreatic cancer.

2. Abdominal pain

About 70-80% of pancreatic cancer sufferers experience abdominal pain in the area near the stomach or solar plexus. Pain can be felt through the back or waist, and usually improves by bending forward. This pain is caused by cancer that grows bigger and presses on the surrounding organs and nerves.

3. Pale and oily stools

The blocked flow of bilirubin to the intestine makes the stool do not get enough dye, so it becomes paler. Lack of bile sap to digest fat in the intestine also makes stool more oily.

4. Urine is darker in color

Increased bilirubin in the bloodstream can enter the urine and make it darker in color.

5. Itchy skin

Increased levels of bilirubin will make the skin yellowish-colored, and if the levels are very high, the skin will feel itchy.

6. Nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and weakness

These symptoms are interconnected. Pancreatic cancer can compress the stomach or duodenum, thus blocking food flow and causing nausea or vomiting. In addition, pancreatic cancer can interfere with the production of digestive enzymes, so that food digestion is disrupted and appetite decreases. Over time, this condition will cause weight loss and make the body feel weak.

Pancreatic Endocrine Cancer Symptoms

Enlargement of cancer that occurs in hormone-producing tissue (endocrine glands) in the pancreas can suppress the surrounding organs. This type of pancreatic cancer has the same symptoms as pancreatic exocrine cancer. But in addition, endocrine cells can release hormones into the bloodstream, causing symptoms that vary depending on the type of cancer, namely:

Gastrinoma

Cancer in the cells producing this hormone gastrin will stimulate the stomach to produce more stomach acid. As a result, sufferers may experience abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, peptic ulcers, and stomach bleeding, so that the stool is black.

Glucagonoma

This type of cancer produces excessive glucagon hormone, thereby increasing blood sugar. As a result, symptoms of diabetes appear, such as thirst, constant hunger, and often feel like urinating. In addition, it can also appear rashes on the skin.

Insulinoma

This cancer produces the hormone insulin. As a result, the patient's blood sugar levels can drop dramatically and make him feel dizzy, weak, cold sweat, rapid heartbeat, or even fainting. Having one or more of the above symptoms does not mean that someone must have pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer symptoms are not specific, which means that it can also appear in other diseases, such as stomach ulcers or inflammation of the pancreas. Therefore, if you experience symptoms that can lead to pancreatic cancer, you should immediately see a doctor. Through consultation, physical examination, and investigations, such as CT scans, MRI, ultrasound, endoscopy, blood tests, and biopsies, doctors can make a diagnosis and confirm whether these symptoms are symptoms of pancreatic cancer or not.

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