Even when they do appear, they can be vague. More often, though, the cancer is detected after a growing tumor causes jaundice and itching, or pain in the abdomen and lower back. The location and size of the tumor often determine the particular symptoms that develop. If the tumor is in the head of the pancreas, and blocking the common bile duct so that bile cannot pass into the intestines, then the skin and whites of the eyes can become yellow, and urine may become dark. This is a condition known as jaundice .
Cancer starting at the head of the pancreas is most likely to cause jaundice.
As the cancer grows and spreads, pain can develop in the upper abdomen and may also spread to the back. This pain can become worse either after a person lies down or after they have eaten. Cancers in the body of the pancreas are most likely to cause pain. Click here for more on cancer pain. If the cancerous tumor is in an islet cell, it may result in bouts of dizziness and drowsiness, since the tumor is causing overproduction of insulin, which results in low blood sugar levels.