Summary
Pancreatic cancer is known as a “silent disease” because identifiable symptoms are not usually present in the early stages of the disease. Several symptoms commonly associated with pancreatic cancer are pain on eating, jaundice, weight loss, poor appetite, dark urine, swelling of legs, indigestion, diarrhea, diabetes, abdominal pain, back pain, ascites, blood clots and enlarged gall bladder. Pancreatic cancer is aggressive with few symptoms until the cancer is advanced. Diagnosis can be made through ultrasound, ERCP, CT scan, MRI and biopsy. Pancreatic cancer treatment depends on the stage of the disease and the patient’s general health. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.