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{{Pancreatic cancer}}
{{Pancreatic cancer}}
{{CMG}}; '''Associate Editor-In-Chief:''' {{CZ}}
{{CMG}}; '''Associate Editor-In-Chief:''' {{CZ}};{{PSD}}


==Overview==
==Overview==
During physical examination, a clinician may find characteristics of pancreatic cancer in a patient. These include: pain,. weight loss, or jaundice.
During physical examination, a clinician may find characteristics of pancreatic cancer in a patient. These include: tenderness, weight loss, or jaundice.


==Physical Examination==
==Physical Examination==
Most patients with pancreatic cancer experience pain, weight loss, or [[jaundice]].<ref name="pmid1589710">{{cite journal |author=Bakkevold KE, Arnesjø B, Kambestad B |title=Carcinoma of the pancreas and papilla of Vater: presenting symptoms, signs, and diagnosis related to stage and tumour site. A prospective multicentre trial in 472 patients. Norwegian Pancreatic Cancer Trial |journal=Scand. J. Gastroenterol. |volume=27 |issue=4 |pages=317–25 |year=1992 |pmid=1589710|doi=10.3109/00365529209000081 }}</ref>


Pain is present in 80 to 85 percent of patients with locally advanced or advanced metastic disease. The pain is usually felt in the upper abdomen as a dull ache that radiates straight through to the back. It may be intermittent and made worse by eating.
:*The initial presentation varies according to location of the cancer.
Weight loss can be profound; it can be associated with [[anorexia]], early [[satiety]], [[diarrhea]], or [[steatorrhea]].
::*Malignancies in the pancreatic body or tail usually present with tenderness and weight loss, while those in the head of the gland typically present with [[steatorrhea]], weight loss, and [[jaundice]]. The recent onset of atypical [[Diabetes Mellitus]], a history of recent but unexplained [[thrombophlebitis]] ([[Trousseau's sign]]).
[[Jaundice]] is often accompanied by [[Itch|pruritus]] and dark urine. Painful jaundice is present in approximately one-half of patients with locally unresectable disease, while painless jaundice is present in approximately one-half of patients with a potentially resectable and curable lesion.


The initial presentation varies according to location of the cancer. Malignancies in the pancreatic body or tail usually present with pain and weight loss, while those in the head of the gland typically present with steatorrhea, weight loss, and jaundice. The recent onset of atypical diabetes mellitus, a history of recent but unexplained [[thrombophlebitis]] ([[Trousseau's sign]]), or a previous attack of [[pancreatitis]] are sometimes noted.
::*[[Courvoisier's law|Courvoisier sign]] defines the presence of jaundice and a painlessly distended [[gallbladder]] as strongly indicative of pancreatic cancer, and may be used to distinguish pancreatic cancer from [[gallstone]]s.
 
[[Courvoisier's law|Courvoisier sign]] defines the presence of jaundice and a painlessly distended [[gallbladder]] as strongly indicative of pancreatic cancer, and may be used to distinguish pancreatic cancer from [[gallstone]]s.
 
Tiredness, irritability and difficulty eating due to pain also exist. Pancreatic cancer is usually discovered during the course of the evaluation of aforementioned symptoms.


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 15:04, 20 August 2015

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2];Parminder Dhingra, M.D. [3]

Overview

During physical examination, a clinician may find characteristics of pancreatic cancer in a patient. These include: tenderness, weight loss, or jaundice.

Physical Examination

  • The initial presentation varies according to location of the cancer.
  • Courvoisier sign defines the presence of jaundice and a painlessly distended gallbladder as strongly indicative of pancreatic cancer, and may be used to distinguish pancreatic cancer from gallstones.

References


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