Pancreatic cancer is difficult to treat and has a low survival rate, so it's important to keep an eye on your body's signals. Itching can warn of a fatal disease relatively early.
Pancreatic cancer is often reluctant to give warning signals until the tumor becomes too large. Dr. Deborah Lee shared one warning sign that could be alarming. Depending on the location of the cancer, one of the early warning signs may be itching. Research published in Express.
– Whether itching is an early or late sign of pancreatic cancer depends on where the tumor develops. If a serious condition begins in the tail of the organ, itching may occur later. However, in 65 percent of cases, the disease begins in the head, so itching can occur at an early stage, – the doctor notes.
When pancreatic cancer begins in the head, it is more likely that it compresses at an early stage bile ducts, blocking the passage of bile to the intestines and leading to jaundice with itching.
When it comes to identifying cancerous itching, the sensation will be constant and involve the entire skin. What's more, itching is a common symptom of pancreatic cancer, which affects 80 to 100 percent of patients with jaundice.
Jaundice causes the skin and whites of the eyes to turn yellow. The change in skin color is associated with the accumulation of the bile pigment bilirubin.
According to a study published in the Official Journal of the International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association, this characteristic sign of pancreatic cancer, accompanied by itching, occurs in about 75 percent of patients.
Although itching by itself may not necessarily indicate cancer, there are other accompanying signs that can help identify a fatal disease.
In patients with pancreatic cancer, itching appears with jaundice and signs seen in the toilet.
– Patients notice that their stool becomes pale and their urine is darker in color. The stool may look greasy and float in the toilet and be difficult to flush. If you notice that your skin is turning yellow, you have pale stools and dark urine, you need to urgently see a therapist, – the doctor notes.
Low blood sugar may be an early symptom of pancreatic cancer
Other pancreatic cancer symptoms to be aware of:
Pancreatic cancer: minor skin changes and eyes can be an early sign
- Loss of appetite or weight loss
- Feeling tired
- Fever, feeling hot or chills
- Persistent malaise
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Pain in the upper abdomen and back (may get worse when you eat or lie down and get better when you leaning forward)
- Indigestion symptoms (such as feeling bloated).
See also: Nuts can help lower blood sugar.
Important! Information provided for reference purposes only. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and under no circumstances self-medicate. At the first sign of illness, consult a doctor.