Canada
A 17-year-old female asked:
Can you tell me what the signs of a pancreas not working and/or of pancreatic cancer are?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Rafael Lugoanswered
General Surgery 30 years experience
Many: There are several symptoms. You can have diarrhea, upper abdominal pain, nausea. Itching? Weight loss.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Myron Arlenanswered
Surgical Oncology 66 years experience
Steatorrhea: The pancreas is both endocrine and exocrine. When the islets are not working, diseases like diabetes develop. When the gland undergoes inflammation and fibrosis, no pancreatic juice enters the bowel and food is not digested leaving large amts. of fat floating in the stool.
Pancreatic cancer does block the duct and has a subclinical form of steatorrhea but his is most often seen with jaundice.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
Similar questions
A 46-year-old member asked:
Could you tell me if my twin brother has pancreatic cancer and i die, can I donate my pancreas to him?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Mark Hoepfneranswered
Surgery 41 years experience
No: Organ transplant is not used for pancreas cancer as the organ rejection medications would cause cancer to grow more quickly.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Oct 4, 2018
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits - just $44!
50% off with $15/month membership
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.