Pancreatic tumours

Symptoms can vary depending on where the tumours are in the pancreas. The symptoms are not precise but may include:

• pain in the tummy area
• back pain
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
• weight loss

You might experience other symptoms such as:

• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhoea or constipation
• fever
• shivering
• indigestion (heartburn)
• blood clots

As these symptoms can often be caused by other conditions, it’s a good idea to get checked by your GP or consultant if you notice them.

Your GP or consultant will discuss your symptoms with you and examine you. They may also look at your skin to check for signs of jaundice (yellowing) and ask for a urine test and a blood test. If pancreatic tumours are suspected, tests may include:

• ultrasound scan
• CT scan
• MRI scan
• PET scan
• PET-CT scan

Depending on the results of initial tests, your consultant may also recommend:

• endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
• endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
• laparoscopy
• magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)
• biopsy

A small tissue sample is taken from a suspected tumour.

Cancerous tumours in your pancreas can be difficult to treat. In the early stages, the symptoms are not very noticeable, so they are often not diagnosed until the advanced stages. If your tumour is large or has spread to other parts of your body, treatment options may be more complex. Your consultant will discuss the best treatment for you. This will depend on the type and location of your tumour and how advanced it is. Your age and your overall health will also be taken into consideration. Treatment options may include:

• surgery
• chemotherapy
• radiotherapy

However in the advanced stages, surgery is not always an option.