What are the Symptoms of Pancreas Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is sometimes called a “silent disease” because early pancreatic cancer often does not cause symptoms. But, as the cancer grows, symptoms may include: • Pain in the upper abdomen or upper back • Yellow skin and eyes, and dark urine from jaundice • Weakness/Fatigue • Loss of appetite • Nausea and vomiting • Weight loss These symptoms are not sure signs of pancreatic cancer. An infection or other problem could also cause these symptoms. Only a doctor can diagnose the cause of a person’s symptoms. Anyone with these symptoms should see a doctor so that the doctor can treat any problem as early as possible. How is pancreatic cancer detected and diagnosed? Pancreatic cancer is diagnosed through: • CA 19-9: A tumor marker called CA 19-9 measured in blood and is frequently elevated in pancreatic cancer patients. • Computerized tomography (CT) scan • MRI • Ultrasonography: This is an ultrasound of the abdomen to see the internal organs. This can show the size of the pancreas an
