When can abdominal pain be a symptom of pancreatic cancer?
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Abdominal pain is a common symptom of pancreatic cancer. It often radiates to the middle or upper back and worsens after eating or when lying down. Upper abdominal pain commonly occurs with advanced pancreatic cancer. Pain can occur when a tumor, typically originating in the body or the tail of the pancreas, grows to put pressure on surrounding abdominal organs or invades surrounding nerves. Many other conditions can cause upper abdominal pain. If you are experiencing pain in your abdomen, discuss your symptoms carefully with your doctor.
Abdominal pain is a common symptom of pancreatic cancer. It often radiates to the middle or upper back and worsens after eating or when lying down. Upper abdominal pain commonly occurs with advanced pancreatic cancer. Pain can occur... More -
Dr. Christopher DiMaio of The Mount Sinai Medical Center answered:Pancreatic cancer is a lethal and aggressive disease. The disease is often far advanced at the time of initial diagnosis in the vast majority of patients. In many patients, symptoms are vague and subtle and thus account for the delay in seeking medical evaluation.
The classic type of abdominal pain associated with pancreatic cancer is a dull pain, located at the epigastrium (just below the breastbone) and radiates to the mid-back. Occasionally, patients may have right upper quadrant or left upper quadrant abdominal pain. Pain may be worse after eating meals, particularly meals that are fried/fatty/greasy.
Other associated symptoms of pancreatic cancer include unintentional weight loss, the presence of loose, foul-smelling stools that float and are difficult to flush, and/or yellowing of the eyes (icterus) or skin (jaundice). Abdominal pain associated with any of these symptoms should prompt immediate evaluation by a physician.
Pancreatic cancer is a lethal and aggressive disease. The disease is often far advanced at the time of initial diagnosis in the vast majority of patients. In many patients, symptoms are vague and subtle and thus account for the delay in seeking... More
