Why is pancreatic cancer so difficult to diagnose?
The pancreas is located deep in the abdominal cavity, making tumors difficult to identify during a routine physical exam. Furthermore, in its early stages, pancreatic cancer usually causes no obvious symptoms. For many patients, symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), unexplained weight loss, or persistent abdominal pain don’t appear until the disease is advanced.
Another obstacle to early diagnosis is the lack of specific biomarkers. Although CA 19-9 is a diagnostic marker, its lack of specificity limits its usefulness in the early stages of the disease. Advanced imaging technologies, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), have improved diagnostic capabilities, but their use is usually limited to cases where there is already a clinical suspicion. In most cases, the cancer is already at a more advanced stage by the time these tools are used.
Warning signs that should not be ignored
Although pancreatic cancer is difficult to detect in its early stages, certain symptoms may indicate its presence. Although nonspecific, these symptoms should not be ignored:
