When it comes to treating cancer, the first step is always to establish the correct diagnosis. Doctors use various tools and methods to understand what’s happening in your body. These include asking about your symptoms, examining physical changes, running blood tests, and performing different scans to get a clear view of the affected organ.
Here are three key symptoms that can help in the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer:
1. Obstructive Jaundice
Jaundice is when your eyes and skin turn yellow. It’s a symptom, not a diagnosis. There are many reasons someone might have jaundice, but if it comes with itching all over the body or white-colored stools, it might indicate a mechanical problem that needs surgical intervention.
2. Dilated Bile Duct
A normal bile duct is less than 6 mm in diameter. In older people or those who have had their gallbladder removed, it can be slightly larger, around 8 mm. A dilated bile duct can be spotted through an ultrasound or CT scan. If the gallbladder is very large and filled like a bag, it might suggest the presence of cancer. This is known as Courvoisier’s law.
3. Dilated Pancreatic Duct
A pancreatic duct wider than 4 mm is considered dilated. This condition can be more complex to understand, but it’s a critical indicator. It’s particularly concerning if there’s a mass or swelling in the body or tail of the pancreas.
Why These Symptoms Matter?
These three symptoms—obstructive jaundice, a dilated bile duct, and a dilated pancreatic duct—are crucial for early pancreatic cancer detection. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommends these as the first steps in diagnosing pancreatic cancer.
Once these symptoms are identified, a multidisciplinary team of doctors discusses the findings and decides on the next set of tests to determine the cancer’s stage.
Understanding these symptoms can help you be more informed about your health and the steps doctors take to diagnose pancreatic cancer. Early detection is key to better treatment and outcomes.