Pancreatic cancer is one of the most painful types of cancer because it invades and presses on the nerves near the pancreas leading to pain in the back or abdomen. Pain seems to be the most distressing symptom in patients with pancreatic cancer. Unspecified abdominal ache may be an early symptom of pancreatic cancer.
Moreover, pancreatic cancer has a poor survival rate and can be hardly diagnosed in the early stages.
What are the causes of pancreatic pain?
Both pancreatic cancer and treatment can cause pain. Moreover, patients may have upper abdominal pain or mid-back pain due to the tumor blocking the digestive tract or pressing against the nerves or pancreas. Moreover, treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery can contribute to pain.
How is pancreatic cancer pain felt?
A common symptom of pancreatic cancer is a recurring, dull pain in the upper abdomen and/or middle or upper back. As mentioned earlier, the tumor formed in the body or tail of the pancreas presses on the spine, causing stomach and back pain. The characteristics of pancreatic cancer pain include
- Pain starts in the middle of the abdomen and radiates to the back.
- Pain worsens on lying down and can often be relieved by leaning forward.
- Pain worsens after having a meal.
Pain may come and go, but it generally gets more persistent and severe with time. Pain can vary from patient to patient, so it is necessary to discuss any new pain-related symptoms with the doctor.
How is pancreatic cancer pain managed?
The physician chooses to remove cancer with surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Medications for pain fall into three categories.
- Over-the-counter and prescription: For mild pain, fever and swelling, the physician may prescribe acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.
- Weak opioid: Codeine is a weak opioid that the physician prescribes for cancer pain.
- Strong opioids: Fentanyl, methadone, and morphine are the most powerful opioids used to relieve cancer pain.
Antidepressants, anti-seizure drugs, and steroids are also useful in treating cancer pain.
Moreover, additional procedures might be required to treat pain, which includes
- Alcohol nerve block: Cutting or injecting alcohol into some of the nerves near the pancreas can often improve pain. This procedure can be done along with surgery intended to remove a tumor or relieve bile duct blockage. As a separate procedure, the doctor might perform a nerve block by injecting the nerves near the pancreas with either anesthetic or medicine that destroys the nerves. The physician may perform the procedure under ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) guidance.
- Thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy: It is a minimally invasive procedure that targets cutting the specific nerve branches.
- Endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus nerve block: In this technique, the physician uses a thin, lighted tube with a camera called an endoscope to look inside the stomach and then places a needle through the stomach to inject an anesthetic into the nerves that transmit pain from the pancreas to the brain.
- Nerve block: Sometimes, a nerve block or local anesthetic relieves or reduces pain. The physician injects local anesthesia into or near the nerves in the abdomen.
Alternative treatment along with conventional therapy may also be used to treat cancer pain, which includes
- Acupuncture
- Biofeedback
- Hypnosis
- Massage therapy
- Physical therapy
- Imagery
- Relaxation
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Cancer
Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.
What Are the Early Warning Signs of Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer does not show its signs and symptoms in its early stages. Only when it has grown large enough, it begins to exhibit its warning signs and symptoms. Symptoms of pancreatic cancer include jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), belly or back pain, unintended weight loss, poor appetite, nausea and vomiting, enlarged gallbladder or liver, deep vein thrombosis or DVT (blood clots in a large vein, usually in the leg), and diabetes.
Is Chemo Worth It for Pancreatic Cancer?
Chemotherapy is usually the main treatment for pancreatic cancer since it can sometimes shrink or slow the growth of cancer, prolonging one’s lifespan.
Is Pancreatic Cancer Back Pain Constant?
Cancer of the the pancreas is called pancreatic cancer. Pain in the upper abdomen and back is commonly seen in those who have pancreatic cancer. The back pain is generally not constant.
Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is a malignant tumor of the pancreas. Pancreatic cancer has been called a "silent" disease because early pancreatic cancer usually does not cause early symptoms. Typically, pancreatic cancer has metastasized (spread to adjacent organs, such as the liver) by the time most people receive a dignosis of pancreatic cancer. Symptoms and signs usually appear later in the course of the disease and include jaundice, back pain, nausea, weight loss, itching, and loss of appetite. Treatment depends upon the type of pancreatic cancer but may include surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy.
Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Learn about pancreatic cancer signs, symptoms, causes, statistics, treatments (chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, biological therapy) and their side effects on of malignant tumors of the pancreas.What Are the Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer in Women?
The symptoms and signs of pancreatic cancer are usually common in both men and women. They are A general feeling of being unwell that lasts for more than a week or two and isn't related to an obvious cause, such as having the flu.
What Does Pancreatic Cancer Back Pain Feel Like?
Pancreatic cancer is hard to be recognized in its earlier stages as its signs and symptoms may resemble vague gastrointestinal complaints. Pain in the abdomen or back is its common symptom. It is mostly intermittent initially, that is, it comes and goes. But with time, it becomes more frequent.What Is the #1 Cause of Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer occurs when cells begin to grow uncontrollably and form tumors within the pancreas. The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is unknown. However, doctors have identified some risk factors that increase your chances of developing pancreatic cancer. These include being over 45 years old, male gender, African American race, cigarette smoking, alcohol abuse, regular consumption of high dietary fats, obesity, type 2 diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, family history of pancreatic cancer, and heavy exposure to certain chemicals used in the dry cleaning and metalworking industries.
What Lab Values Indicate Pancreatic Cancer?
Laboratory values can indicate pancreatic cancer, but they are not specific or sensitive for cancer of the pancreas. A laboratory blood test known as carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) is also used in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. The normal range of CA 19-9 is between 0 and 37 U/mL, but people with pancreatic cancer often have higher levels. As cancer progresses, CA 19-9 levels go on increasing.Where Does Your Back Hurt With Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer begins in the tissues of the pancreas which is an organ located behind the stomach. Pancreatic cancer occurs when the normal cells mutate and grow out of control forming a tumor. Pancreatic cancer spreads quickly and has a poor prognosis because it is often detected late. One of the important symptoms of pancreatic cancer is a dull pain in the upper abdomen (near the solar plexus) and/or middle or upper back.