What are the symptoms of pancreatic cancer?

Jaundice, pain, etc.: Depending on the location of the tumor the presenting signs and symptoms varries. The tumors of the head of the pancreas typically cause obstruction and cause jaundice. Patient's skin can become yellow, urine become dark color (orange, brown), stool become light gray. Some may be associated with significant back pain, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea, weight loss.

Varies: It depends where in the pancrease (pancrelipase) the cancer is. If it is closer to the front of the pancreas you could develop obstruction of the bile ducts. This could lead to yellowing of the eyes and skin. Also there is usually darkening of the urine and the stool will change to a tan-white color. People can have severe itching as it gets worse. This is usually referred to as "painless jaundice".

Continued: If the cancer is in the middle or end fo the pancreas there are sometimes no symptoms until it is advanced. With advanced pancreatic cancer people have high amounts of unexplained weightloss. There is usually not pain associated with pancreatic cancer.

Depends: Early pancreatic cancer in the body of the pancreas is often asymptomatic or may have vague abdominal symptoms. Cancer in the head of pancreas may present with jaundice. Later there may be pain radiating to the back and symptoms from metastases in the liver.