Signs, Symptoms & Risk Factors for Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the 12th most common cancer in the United States. The five-year survival rate for patients with pancreatic cancer varies depending on the stage when the cancer is detected and treated, ranging anywhere from one to 14 percent.

Signs and symptoms for pancreatic cancer are not often apparent. It is important to know the signs for both exocrine and endocrine pancreatic cancer and to talk to your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any of these symptoms or have a concern.

Signs and Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer

In its early stages, exocrine pancreatic cancer rarely has any noticeable signs or symptoms and those that do occur are very similar to other illnesses. These include:

• Jaundice - a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by the buildup of bilirubin in the body (one of the first signs of pancreatic cancer)
• Pale, greasy stools - caused by a blocked bile duct, preventing bile (and bilirubin) from reaching the bowel
• Dark urine - caused by an increase of bilirubin levels in the blood
• Pain in the upper or middle abdomen and back - from pressure of the cancer on nerves or nearby organs
• Weight loss - due to lack of appetite

Signs and symptoms of endocrine pancreatic cancer depend on the type of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (NET), but can include:

• Gastrointestinal issues (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or indigestion)
• Pain or lump in abdomen
• Abnormal blood sugar levels
• Gallstones
• Blood clots
• Jaundice
• Gallbladder enlargement

Risk Factors for Pancreatic Cancer

Certain conditions and lifestyle choices can increase the risk of developing both types of pancreatic cancer, such as:

• Tobacco use, including cigarette, cigar and pipe smoking as well as the use of smokeless tobacco products - thought to account for about 20 - 30 percent of exocrine pancreatic cancer cases
• Age - 71 is the average age at the time of diagnosis
• Gender - men are about 30 percent more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than women
• Being overweight or obese
• Ethnicity - African Americans are more likely to develop pancreatic cancer
• Having a personal history of diabetes or chronic pancreatitis
• Family history of pancreatic cancer or pancreatitis
• Having certain hereditary conditions, such as:
  • Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) syndrome (a risk factor specifically for pancreatic NETs)
  • Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC; Lynch syndrome)
  • von Hippel-Lindau syndrome
  • Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
  • Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome
  • Familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome

Sources:

American Cancer Society
Genetics Home Reference
Medline
National Cancer Institute
National Comprehensive Cancer Network