Summarize the following:
These may indicate pancreatic cancer, or some other ailment. Since early signs and symptoms may be ambiguous, they are often not associated with the pancreas until the disease is quite advanced. Early issues include: Moderate abdominal and/or back pain Nausea (not vomiting) Loss of appetite (food is less desirable) Unexplained significant weight loss Yellow jaundice (which also causes itchy skin) Chronic pain Severe nausea Frequent vomiting Malabsorption of food Blood glucose control problems/Diabetes (since the pancreas makes and releases insulin but becomes dysfunctional). It is not easily scanned nor viewable behind the stomach and near the small intestines. The stages are: Stage 0: Not spread. A single layer/small group of cells in the pancreas -- not yet visible on imaging tests or to the unaided eye. Stage I: Local growth. Pancreatic cancer is growing in the pancreas, Stage 1A is less than 2 centimeters (0.79in) (approx 3/4 in) across, but Stage IB is greater than 2 centimeters. Stage II: Local spread. Pancreatic cancer is larger, protruding outside the pancreas, or has spread to nearby lymph nodes. Stage III: Spread nearby. The tumor has expanded such as encasing nearby major blood vessels or nerves (unlikely to be operable, unless very limited spread) -- as well as into nearby lymph nodes -- but is not known to have metastasized to any distant organ. Stage IV: Confirmed distant spread. Pancreatic cancer has been found in distant organs such as lungs, liver, colon, etc. -- probably inoperable.
Watch for subtle and nonspecific signs and symptoms: Beware that in later stages there may be: Realize that the prognosis and staging of pancreatic cancer is not easily tested.