Cancer of the pancreas may not cause symptoms for a long time, and some people may only have one symptom. The most common are:

Pain or discomfort

This often begins in the upper part of the abdomen and sometimes extends to the back. The pain may come and go or be there all the time. It may worsen when you are lying down and lessen when seated or leaning forward.

Weight loss

This may happen even if there have been no changes in the amount of food you take in.

Jaundice

Jaundice can develop if the cancer in the head of the pancreas blocks the bile duct. Bile cannot drain away and accumulates in the body, causing symptoms such as a yellowish coloring of the skin and the whites of the eyes, skin itchiness, dark-yellow urine, and pale stool.

Jaundice can be caused by diseases other than pancreatic cancer.

  • Loss of appetite.
  • Indigestion.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Feeling bloated after meals.
  • Diarrhea or changes in bowel habits.
  • Tiredness.
  • Depression.