Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms

Pancreatic cancer mainly arises from pancreatic ductal epithelial cells and is one of the deadliest types of digestive system malignancies. Smoking, chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, and genetic factors are important risk factors. In Western countries such as the United States and parts of Europe, the incidence remains high, with men being more affected than women.

In Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, the incidence of pancreatic cancer is increasing year by year. Because early symptoms are often hidden, many patients are already at advanced stages when diagnosed, posing a serious threat to life and increasing the medical burden.

Staging of Pancreatic Cancer

Stage I: Localized Tumor
The tumor is confined within the pancreas and has not yet invaded surrounding tissues. The 5-year survival rate is about 30%–40%. Surgical resection achieves better results at this stage.

Stage II: Local Spread
The tumor invades nearby tissues or lymph nodes, with mild jaundice or abdominal pain appearing. The 5-year survival rate drops to 15%–25%.

Stage III: Vascular Invasion
The tumor invades major pancreatic blood vessels, making surgery difficult. Symptoms worsen significantly, and the 5-year survival rate is only 5%–10%.

Stage IV: Distant Metastasis
The tumor spreads to distant organs such as the liver or lungs. Symptoms are severe, and comprehensive treatment is the main approach. The 5-year survival rate is below 5%.

Detailed Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer

1. Persistent Abdominal Pain
Pain usually occurs in the upper abdomen or back, dull and continuous in nature. As the disease progresses, the pain intensifies, significantly affecting daily life.

2. Jaundice
Tumor compression of the bile duct leads to jaundice, manifested as yellowing of the skin and eyes, darkened urine, and lighter stool color. This is a typical symptom of pancreatic head cancer.

3. Rapid Weight Loss
Patients often experience unexplained rapid weight loss, reflecting the tumor’s high metabolic activity and impaired nutrient absorption.

4. Indigestion and Nausea
Pancreatic dysfunction reduces digestive enzyme secretion, leading to nausea, bloating, loss of appetite, and post-meal discomfort.

5. Loss of Appetite and Fatigue
Often accompanied by general weakness, malnutrition, and anemia, which significantly reduce physical strength.

6. New-Onset Diabetes
Some patients develop diabetes or experience abnormal blood sugar control, indicating impaired insulin secretion.

7. Abdominal Mass and Ascites
In advanced stages, an abdominal mass may be palpable, often accompanied by ascites, suggesting widespread tumor dissemination.

Conclusion

Experts at United Life International Medical Center emphasize that early symptoms of pancreatic cancer are inconspicuous, so high-risk individuals should undergo regular physical examinations. Immune reconstruction cell therapy, as an advanced treatment, brings new hope for late-stage patients, improving quality of life. Multidisciplinary comprehensive treatment is an important guarantee for extending patient survival.