Five Early Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer

Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
Updated on February 26, 2025
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The five major symptoms of early pancreatic cancer patients include abdominal pain, jaundice, abdominal distension, diarrhea, fatigue, and more, among which the occurrence of abdominal pain is higher. Many patients with early pancreatic cancer experience persistent and hidden abdominal pain without other clinical symptoms, which often leads to missed opportunities for early diagnosis; Secondly, jaundice is also a main manifestation of early pancreatic cancer, particularly in the head of the pancreas, mainly due to the tumor causing obstructive jaundice; Thirdly, abdominal distension, which is generally a mild distension and often does not significantly attract clinical attention; Fourthly, patients often feel a general fatigue, which is difficult to alleviate with ordinary treatment methods; Lastly, diarrhea, which is often due to abnormal secretion of digestive fluids caused by the pathology, leading to diarrhea.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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Early symptoms and manifestations of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a type of malignant tumor that has seen an increase in incidence in recent years. The early symptoms and signs of pancreatic cancer include the following: many patients experience abdominal pain, which often radiates to the shoulder and back. Additionally, some patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer may develop jaundice in the skin and mucous membranes, and some may even exhibit bleeding spots. Moreover, some patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer may show symptoms of indigestion, experiencing repeated belching, nausea, and loss of appetite. Furthermore, the symptoms of early-stage pancreatic cancer are generally not typical because the tumor is located deep within the body and is small, hence it does not invade surrounding tissues. Therefore, the clinical symptoms are neither severe nor diverse.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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Dietary Taboos for Patients with Pancreatic Cancer

Regarding the dietary restrictions for pancreatic cancer patients, there are no specific prohibitions. The main recommendation is to avoid what we typically refer to as junk food, such as barbecued foods and pickled products. Aside from avoiding these foods, it is important to focus on a nutritious and balanced diet, with a good mix of both meat and vegetables. Additionally, because pancreatic cancer patients may experience symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and a feeling of fullness or discomfort in the upper abdomen, the diet should primarily consist of light and easily digestible foods. In doing so, while ensuring that the patient receives sufficient nutrition, it is best to consume foods that are easy to digest and nutritionally balanced.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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Is there still a cure for pancreatic cancer with liver metastasis?

Pancreatic cancer with liver metastasis is considered to be in the advanced stage, but some patients can still benefit from treatment in terms of survival. They can choose chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and oral anti-angiogenesis medications, among others. The choice of specific medications should take into account the patient's overall condition and various other factors. The effectiveness of the treatment varies from person to person; some patients may benefit from the treatment, while others may not see significant improvement, but these options are still worth considering.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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What to do about pancreatic cancer pain?

Pancreatic cancer pain is common in clinical practice, with some patients presenting with abdominal pain as their initial symptom. Pain management can be symptomatic, using analgesics for relief. For mild pain, tramadol can be chosen for pain relief. For severe pain, opioid analgesics such as morphine sustained-release tablets, oxycodone sustained-release tablets, or morphine tablets can be used for pain relief. These are merely symptomatic treatments. The fundamental approach involves surgical or oncological treatments like chemotherapy or radiotherapy to treat pancreatic cancer. Only when the tumor is controlled will the symptoms of pain be alleviated.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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What should be done if pancreatic cancer has not metastasized?

If pancreatic cancer has not metastasized, then it might be in an early stage. In this situation, consultation with a hepatobiliary surgeon is necessary for the surgeon to assess whether curative surgery can be performed. If the surgeon determines that curative surgery is feasible, this should be the preferred treatment method. Post-operatively, based on whether there are symptoms of recurrence or metastasis, such as vascular tumor thrombi or lymph node metastases, decisions concerning the necessity for adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy should be made based on these high-risk factors for recurrence and metastasis.