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What are common symptoms of pancreatic cancer?
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cancer
View through an endoscope of a polyp, a benign precancerous growth projecting from the inner lining of the colon.
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer are often shared with other illnesses and typically do not appear until the disease has reached an advanced stage. Common symptoms include:12
- Abdominal pain13
- Unexplained weight loss13
- Problems with glucose metabolism13
- Difficulty digesting fatty foods13
As a tumor grows, it may block the common bile duct, leading to a buildup of bilirubin in the blood. This results in jaundice, characterized by the yellowing of the skin and eyes. Additionally, this blockage may cause the gallbladder to become enlarged. Because these symptoms are frequently delayed, early detection remains a critical challenge in improving survival rates.12