10 Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer may vary depending on the location of the cancer cells or tumor, but there are some common issues that are associated with this type of cancer that you should be aware of.
- Jaundice: This symptom is visibly detectible because it causes a yellowing of the skin. Although it can be the signal of other health maladies, jaundice is a sign of pancreatic cancer in some cases and should never be ignored. Jaundice is caused by the buildup of bilirubin, which is dark yellow-brown in color. This substance is produced by the liver and is normally excreted by the body through the intestines. However, when a cancer growth in the pancreas blocks the bile duct where bilirubin exits, it can cause an internal buildup, affecting the color of the skin. Do not delay medical treatment if you notice your skin tone changing to a yellowish color.
- Dark urine: If your urine changes color and appears darker than you remember it being previously, and if this change is persistent, you should seek medical advice as to why this could be happening. Dark urine may be the result of a buildup of bilirubin due to a blocked bile duct and could be a warning sign of pancreatic cancer.
- Itching: Unexplained and persistent itching of the skin may be a symptom of buildup of bilirubin in the skin and a warning sign of pancreatic cancer. If you have itching that won’t go away or is reoccurring, you should contact your physician for an examination. Be sure to identify any other accompanying symptoms, no matter how unrelated or insignificant you may believe they are.