Pancreatic cancer occurs when the cells in the pancreas start to grow uncontrollably, leading to the formation of a tumour. The pancreas is a tiny organ in the body, hidden deep within your stomach. It is responsible for various functions in the body, including digestion and blood sugar regulation.
Cancer in this part of the body can lead to several complications. However, unfortunately, pancreatic cancer can be difficult to detect in its early stages for various reasons. Not only that, it can also be mistaken for other benign conditions, leading to delayed diagnosis, late treatment, and poor outcomes.
Common Symptoms Of Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer often does not cause any symptoms until it has reached advanced stages. However, when symptoms occur, they may include:
- Pain, usually in the abdomen or back
- Weight loss
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin, eyes, or both) with or without itching
- Passing a high-coloured yellow stool
- Yellowish discolouration of the eyes and skin
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Changes in stool colour, clay-coloured stool
- Pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas)
- Recent-onset diabetes
Why Pancreatic Cancer Can Be Difficult To Diagnose In The Early Stages
According to Dr Sanjeev Kumar, Consultant- Surgical Oncology, Manipal Hospital, Dwarka, the pancreas is an organ located in the deep part of the abdomen, which makes it difficult to detect any abnormalities through tests and screenings.
Additionally, he says that the symptoms of pancreatic cancer are generally vague, and the majority of the time, they are similar to those of other common illnesses. This is why patients often ignore the symptoms and seek medical help very late.
Dr Kumar says, “Management of pancreatic cancer is complex. Majority of the treatment is multimodal, which includes a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.”
Unfortunately, most pancreatic cancer patients are diagnosed at stage IV, which is also known as advanced pancreatic cancer. In this stage, the tumour is unresectable or cannot be removed surgically.
Conditions That Can Be Mistaken For Pancreatic Cancer
The symptoms of pancreatic cancer often mimic those of other abdominal diseases, including:
Pancreatitis: It is an inflammation of the pancreas that occurs due to various causes, including excessive alcohol consumption, gallstones, autoimmune diseases, infections, and certain medications.
Medical jaundice: This condition is characterised by the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eye.
Gastritis: Gastritis is the inflammation of the lining of the stomach that leads to various symptoms, including an upset stomach, belching, burping, abdominal pain, bloating, and nausea and vomiting.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): GERD or acid reflux, is a chronic condition that occurs when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the oesophagus, which is the tube connecting your mouth and stomach.
Steps To Take Before It Gets Too Late
Dr Kumar advises being aware of the early symptoms of pancreatic cancer and consulting a doctor to get a confirmed diagnosis. Moreover, it is important to seek medical help if symptoms are abnormal, persistent, or do not resolve on their own.
It is also important to understand your risk factors, which include smoking and regular bouts of pancreatitis due to alcohol and other unhealthy habits.
You can get a PET-CT or triple-phase abdomen CT scan to rule out pancreatic cancer.
Lastly, get an ultrasound done, as it can reveal pancreatic cancer early.