Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
Early cases of pancreatic cancer, which is twice as common in men, cause no symptoms.
But as the disease advances, it can cause:
- Jaundice
- Weight loss
- Fatigue/weakness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea/loose stools
- Clay-colored stools
- Dark urine
- Diabetes
- Pain from the middle of the abdomen to the back
Diagnosing Pancreatic Cancer
If your doctor suspects you have pancreatic cancer, you may be referred for:
- Imaging tests, such as CT scans or MRIs.
- Biopsy. We collect a tissue sample from an organ or other part of your body by cutting or scraping a small piece of the tissue or using a needle and syringe to remove a sample. A pathologist then examines the sample under a microscope for abnormalities, such as cancer.
Treating Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is treated with surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy to help relieve symptoms and extend survival. Due to the rapid progression of the disease, only about 20 percent of patients are candidates for surgery.
But the Cancer Institute offers the latest and most effective surgical procedures for prostate cancer, including:
- Whipple Surgery
- Robotic Resections. Using a keyhole approach through several small incisions, surgeons remove portions of the pancreas. The technique yields minimal blood loss and complications, with patients recovering quickly. We can use the keyhole approach on older patients and those with comorbidities, who were once considered less than ideal surgical candidates.