

Pancreatic cancer can cause blood to clot more easily and can be the first sign of the tumor. Similar to back pain, abdominal pain is a common sign of advanced pancreatic cancer which occurs when the tumor presses on organs and nerves around the pancreas.

If the tumor blocks the upper part of the small intestine (the duodenum), nausea and vomiting may result. Over time, significant weight loss and malnutrition may result. When pancreatic enzymes cannot be released into the intestine, digesting food- especially high-fat foods-may be difficult. People with pancreatic cancer may lose weight, have little or no appetite or may suffer from malnutrition. The pain may be constant or intermittent and can be worse after eating or when lying down. This common sign of advanced pancreatic cancer occurs when the tumor presses on organs and nerves around the pancreas.
Pancreas bile duct blockblock symptoms skin#
Skin can start to itch or turn yellow when bilirubin builds up in the skin. The bile then accumulates in tissues, blood and the skin, leading to jaundice. When the bile duct is blocked by a tumor or when a tumor is located in the head of the pancreas near the bile duct, the bile is prevented from reaching the intestines. Bilirubin is a dark-yellow brown substance made in the liver that travels down the bile duct and into the small intestine. Jaundice occurs when bilirubin stains the skin. Symptoms that may occur with jaundice are itching (which may be severe), dark urine and light or clay-colored stool. Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. Many other illnesses can cause these signs and symptoms, but it is important to take them seriously and see your doctor as soon as possible. The signs and symptoms also may be confusing to patients and healthcare providers because they vary depending on where the tumor is located in the pancreas (the head, body, or tail).

Even when there are early signs and symptoms, they may be vague and misattributed to another disease. Pancreatic cancer is often called a silent disease because many times there are no signs or symptoms until the cancer is in an advanced stage.
