What are the symptoms of pancreatic cancer?

Is it pancreatic cancer—or something much less serious? Find out why the symptoms of pancreatic cancer are sometimes mistaken for a more common ailment by watching this video featuring cancer specialist Deborah Axelrod, M.D.

Transcript

00:00

Pancreatic cancer can present, depending on where it occurs in the pancreas. If it occurs towards the head of the pancreas,

00:07

it can present as painless jaundice. [MUSIC PLAYING]

00:21

Pancreatic cancer is usually a cancer that goes undetected. It can present with back pain because the pancreas

00:28

sits in the back and can invade some of the structures around that area, into the muscle, into the nerves,

00:36

and into other organs. And so back pain that persists, that escalates, that's not relieved by anti-inflammatory medications

00:44

is an indication to see your physician. Pancreatic cancer can present, depending on where

00:50

it occurs in the pancreas. If it occurs towards the head of the pancreas, it can present as painless jaundice,

00:58

yellowing of the skin, of the sclera, or the white part of the eyes. It can present with greasy stools.

01:06

It can present as indigestion or diarrhea or pale colored stool.

01:15

And again, back pain is also a symptom that we worry about if it persists

01:21

and if it's not relieved by anti-inflammatory medication. [AUDIO LOGO]