Pancreatic cancer symptoms are easily confused?

Pancreatic cancer is a malignant lesion arising from any component of pancreatic tissue including cells of exocrine pancreatic tissue, cells of connective tissue, pancreatic endocrine cells. Symptoms of pancreatic cancer in the early stages are often confused with common diseases such as abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, etc. So what are the symptoms of pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer is a malignant lesion arising from any component of pancreatic tissue including cells of the exocrine pancreatic tissue, pancreatic endocrine cells and cells of the connective tissue of the pancreas. More than 95% of pancreatic cancers originate from exocrine pancreatic tissue, including pancreatic ductal epithelial cells, germ cells and acinar cells, etc. While about 85% are derived from cells. exocrine pancreatic ductal epithelium, the remaining pancreatic cancer originates from pancreatic endocrine cells and connective tissue, so it is very rare.
According to the World Health Organization, pancreatic cancer ranks only 14th with a case rate of 458918 cases/year. However, in terms of mortality, pancreatic cancer ranks 7th due to cancer. This shows that the prognosis of pancreatic cancer is very poor, in fact the 5-year survival rate of pancreatic cancer is only about 9.3%. The main reason why pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis compared to other digestive cancers is because the pancreas has a special position in the abdomen, its clinical symptoms are poor, it is easy to confuse it with other diseases. Otherwise, patients are often diagnosed at a late stage.

Symptoms of early pancreatic cancer are often poor. Clinical symptoms are also very diverse and vary depending on the tumor location and extent of spread. According to statistics, 60-70% of tumors are located in the head of the pancreas, about 20-25% are in the body or tail of the pancreas, the tumor occupies the entire volume of the pancreas but with a low rate. Symptoms of pancreatic cancer can include:
Abdominal pain: this is one of the most common symptoms. Abdominal pain usually begins to appear about 1-2 months before diagnosis and increases gradually with disease progression. But at first, the patient only felt transient abdominal pain in the epigastrium, so it was easily confused with gastritis. Pain usually starts in the epigastric region, as the disease progresses, it often spreads to the sides or to the back, the pain may be intermittent but often worsens after eating or when lying on the back, causing the patient to lie in bed. curled position. The location of pain is more in the back and is more common when the tumor is located in the body or tail of the pancreas rather than the head of the pancreas. Usually, abdominal pain in pancreatic cancer comes on slowly and increases as the disease progresses. Cholestatic syndrome: Jaundice and dark urine are among the typical symptoms. Jaundice due to pancreatic cancer is a continuous and progressive jaundice caused by the tumor blocking the main bile duct, preventing bile from the liver from entering the duodenum. As a result, bile enters the bloodstream causing dark urine and jaundice. Jaundice is common and presents early with pancreatic head tumors. Loose stools: Tumors in the pancreas prevent pancreatic enzymes from entering the small intestine to digest food. This is one of the reasons why pancreatic cancer patients are depleted very quickly, so it is necessary to supplement pancreatic enzymes in time. Asthenia Weight loss Loss of appetite Nausea, vomiting Diarrhea Diabetes : Diabetes can be present at the same time during illness. Approximately 25% of patients with pancreatic cancer have an onset of diabetes less than 2 days before pancreatic cancer is detected.

Pancreatic cancer symptoms are easily confused with those of other diseases, so patients are often diagnosed late. Some tests for pancreatic cancer include:
Blood tests Tumor markers Ultrasound Computerized tomography is very important, because the doctor can not only detect the tumor but also evaluate it. The extent of the tumor's spread as well as the root status,... Thereby, it helps to evaluate the possibility of radical surgery as well as the ability to intervene to solve the complications caused by the tumor such as obstruction. bile, pain,... In summary, pancreatic cancer is malignant lesions arising from any part of pancreatic tissue, including cells of exocrine pancreatic tissue, cells of connective tissue endocrine pancreatic cells. Symptoms of pancreatic cancer in the early stages are often confused with common diseases such as abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, ... Therefore, when you see any abnormal signs, you need to go to the doctor immediately. health facility for examination as well as assessment and timely detection.
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