Pancreatic cancer symptoms often do not appear until the disease is in an advanced stage, thus making early detection difficult. When they do appear, they can be vague and nonspecific, such as stomach pain and weight loss. Additionally, a patient's symptoms will vary depending on the location of the cancer within the pancreas.
What Is the Pancreas?
The pancreas is a gland about 6 inches long that is shaped like a thin pear lying on its side. The wider end of the pancreas is called the head, the middle section is called the body, and the narrow end is called the tail. The pancreas lies behind the stomach and in front of the spine. It cannot be felt during a physical exam and is located behind other organs like the stomach, liver, spleen, gallbladder, and small intestine.
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