There are many signs and symptoms that are related to pancreatic cancer. Many of these symptoms are not unique to pancreatic cancer and can be caused by different illnesses. If you have any of the symptoms listed below, it does not necessarily mean that you have pancreatic cancer.

Decreased appetite

Having less of a desire to eat can be a sign of pancreatic cancer. Also, having less of an appetite can lead to weight loss. This symptom may also be related to nausea, which is another symptom of pancreatic cancer.

Upset stomach (“indigestion”)

People who have pancreatic cancer might experience stomach pain or discomfort after eating. This discomfort is usually located in the upper abdomen, and can also be accompanied by bloating, burping, and the feeling of burning in the chest. Some also have nausea and vomiting along with the upset stomach. These symptoms occur in about 40% of patients with pancreatic cancer.

Changes in your bowel movements

Since the pancreas plays a role in digesting food, cancer of the pancreas can change the consistency and color of your poop. If your poop is runnier or has more water than usual, that is a sign that you have diarrhea. If you have a difficult time going to the bathroom because your poop is harder than usual, you may be constipated. Not having enough pancreatic enzymes to digest food properly may lead to oily and bad smelling stools, while a bile duct blockage can lead to light colored stool.

Pain

In a lot of cases, severe pain in the middle of the abdomen is an early symptom of pancreatic cancer. This pain may get worse as pancreatic cancer continues. It can also move from the middle of the abdomen to the middle of the back.

Fatigue (extreme tiredness)

Feeling more tired than usual for a long period of time can be a symptom of pancreatic cancer. It may be one of first symptoms that patients experience. Having low energy levels can affect your daily life, as well as your ability to think and concentrate.

Weight loss

Weight loss is a common symptom in patients with pancreatic cancer. About 90% of patients experience this. Losing muscle mass is also a factor in weight loss for these patients. Weight loss may also be due to factors like nausea and indigestion, side-effects from chemotherapy, depression, surgery, and the direct effect of pancreatic cancer on metabolism. Pancreatic cancer may also make it harder for patients to digest certain foods.

Signs and Symptoms Related to bile salts (Jaundice)

If the tumor associated with cancer is located in the head of the pancreas, its swelling can block parts of the bile duct, which empties bile into the small intestine right where the pancreas empties its digestive “juice”. This can cause a back-up of bile salt pigment. The build-up of yellow/orange bile salts can travel to places it normally wouldn’t and cause some of the signs listed below.

About half of patients with pancreatic cancer have jaundice. This means that the patient has skin and eyes that look yellow from buildup of bile pigments. Patients who have jaundice can also have itchy skin. Some of this bile pigment leaves the body through urine, so about half of patients who have ductal adenocarcinoma also have dark yellow/brown urine. And the blocked bile duct keeps the salts from entering the digestive tract, so with pancreatic cancer the stool can be light colored.

The signs and symptoms that are caused by a blocked bile duct can sometimes be relieved by a procedure that involves putting a tube (“stent”) into the duct itself.