Stools may also have a strong, odd smell.
This pain often worsens three to four hours after eating or when lying down.
In contrast, the pain often lessens when a person sits up and leans forward.
© Verywell, 2018
Diarrhea is sometimes anearlysymptom of pancreatic cancer.
It happens when the pancreas is unable to produce sufficient insulin due to the presence of a tumor.
Recurrent blood clots without an obvious cause deserve an evaluation.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Abdominal Mass
Some people may notice a hard mass in the upper abdomenthat is actually the gallbladder.
This is a very strong indicator that pancreatic cancer may be present.
This is referred to medically as Virchow’s node.
Most of these “neuroendocrine” tumors can lead to weight loss.
Some of these may include:
Insulinomas
Insulinomas secreteinsulinwhich leads to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Glucagonomas
Glucagonomas secrete glucagon, a hormone that increases blood sugar.
They may also cause diarrhea and nutritional deficiencies resulting in mouth and tongue pain.
Somatostatinomas
Somatostatinomas are tumors that secrete somatostatin, a hormone that in turn stimulates the release of other hormones.
Symptoms may include diarrhea, abdominal pain, foul-smelling stools, symptoms of diabetes, and jaundice.
Diabetes
As noted above, the sudden and unexpected onset of diabetes may herald the presence of pancreatic cancer.
Cachexia may be the direct cause of death in 20% of people with cancer.
They are also extremely common at any point with the disease.
Symptoms are our body’s way of telling us that something isn’t right.
It’s important to have an explanation, and if you don’t, ask again.
If you aren’t getting answers, consider getting a second opinion.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer.
2020 Jul;159(1):358-362. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.03.088
Pancreatic Cancer UK.Managing jaundice if you have pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic Cancer Action.Pancreatic cancer symptoms.
Cancer Research UK.Symptoms of pancreatic cancer.
2012 Dec 7;18(45):6686-9. doi:10.3748/wjg.v18.i45.6686
American Cancer Society.What is a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor?
2018;2(3):pky043.
(Epub ahead of print).
Laquente B, Calsina-Berna A, Caromona-Bayonas A, et al.Supportive care in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.Clinical and Translational Oncology.
19(11):1293-1302.
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