Quick answer. Pancreatic cancer develops in the pancreas, an organ behind the stomach, and often causes few symptoms until later, when signs such as painless yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), weight loss and upper-abdominal or back pain may appear. Because it can be subtle, painless jaundice with weight loss should prompt a doctor’s review without delay.
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Pancreatic cancer is less common than some other cancers but is important to recognise because its early symptoms are often vague or absent. The pancreas sits deep in the abdomen behind the stomach, and a tumour there can grow for some time before causing noticeable problems. When symptoms do appear, they can include yellowing of the skin and eyes, unexplained weight loss, discomfort in the upper abdomen or back, and sometimes new-onset diabetes. In Singapore, as elsewhere, awareness of these patterns helps people seek timely assessment.
This guide explains what pancreatic cancer is, its symptoms and risk factors such as smoking and family history, how it is diagnosed, and the broad approach to treatment. It is written calmly and factually. Many of these symptoms have far more common, non-cancerous causes, but because pancreatic cancer can be hard to catch early, the combination of painless jaundice and weight loss is a clear signal to see a doctor promptly.
At a glance
| Symptom | What it may feel like | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Jaundice | Yellow skin and eyes, dark urine, pale stools | Often painless; needs prompt review |
| Weight loss | Unintended loss without trying | Common warning sign of many serious conditions |
| Abdominal/back pain | Upper-tummy ache spreading to the back | May worsen after eating or lying down |
| New diabetes | New high blood sugar without clear cause | Can rarely be an early clue in older adults |
| Appetite/digestion | Loss of appetite, nausea, oily stools | Signals reduced pancreas function |
What is pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is a cancer that starts in the pancreas, a gland located deep in the abdomen behind the stomach. The pancreas has two main jobs: producing enzymes that help digest food, and making hormones such as insulin that control blood sugar. Most pancreatic cancers begin in the cells that line the ducts carrying digestive juices.
Because the pancreas is tucked away and a tumour can grow without pressing on anything that causes obvious symptoms, pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed at a later stage than some other cancers. It is more common in older adults. In Singapore it is one of the less frequent cancers, but its tendency to present late is the reason recognising warning signs, especially painless jaundice, is so important.
Symptoms & signs
Pancreatic cancer often causes no symptoms early on. As it develops, possible signs include:
- Painless jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, often with dark urine and pale stools and sometimes itching
- Unintended weight loss
- Pain in the upper abdomen that may spread through to the back, sometimes worse after eating or when lying down
- Loss of appetite, nausea or indigestion
- New-onset diabetes, or diabetes that suddenly becomes harder to control, particularly in an older adult
- Pale, greasy stools that are difficult to flush, reflecting poor fat digestion
- Tiredness
The combination of painless jaundice and weight loss is particularly worth noting and should be reviewed by a doctor promptly.
Causes & risk factors
In many cases no clear cause is found, but several factors are linked to a higher risk:
- Smoking: one of the most significant and avoidable risk factors.
- Age: risk rises with age, with most cases in older adults.
- Family history and genetics: having close relatives with pancreatic cancer, or certain inherited conditions, raises risk.
- Long-standing chronic pancreatitis: ongoing inflammation of the pancreas.
- Diabetes: long-standing diabetes is associated with somewhat higher risk, and new diabetes can occasionally be an early sign.
- Obesity and diet: excess weight and some dietary patterns are linked to higher risk.
Not smoking, keeping a healthy weight and managing other health conditions are sensible steps for general health and may lower risk.
How pancreatic cancer is diagnosed
Diagnosis usually starts when symptoms or test results prompt imaging of the abdomen. Steps may include:
- Blood tests: including liver function tests, which can be abnormal in jaundice, and sometimes a tumour marker (CA 19-9) used alongside other findings rather than on its own.
- Imaging: ultrasound, then CT scan, and sometimes MRI to look at the pancreas and surrounding structures.
- Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS): a scope with an ultrasound probe gives detailed images and allows a biopsy.
- ERCP: an endoscopic procedure that can examine and sometimes relieve a blocked bile duct, easing jaundice.
- Biopsy: a tissue sample to confirm the diagnosis.
These tests together establish whether cancer is present and how far it has spread.
Treatment options
Treatment depends on the tumour’s location and stage and the person’s general health, and is decided by a multidisciplinary team. Broad options include:
- Surgery: for cancers that have not spread, an operation to remove part of the pancreas (such as a Whipple procedure) offers the best chance of cure, but only a proportion of cases are suitable.
- Chemotherapy: used before or after surgery, or as the main treatment when surgery is not possible.
- Radiotherapy: sometimes combined with chemotherapy.
- Supportive and symptom care: relieving jaundice with a stent, managing pain, supporting nutrition and digestion, which are important for quality of life at every stage.
Outcomes vary by stage and individual circumstances, and your specialist is best placed to explain the plan and what to expect. We do not publish survival figures here, as they depend heavily on each person’s situation.
When to see a doctor & which specialist
See a doctor promptly if you notice:
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), especially if painless, with dark urine or pale stools
- Unintended weight loss
- Persistent upper-abdominal pain that spreads to the back
- New diabetes or a sudden change in blood sugar control in an older adult, alongside other symptoms
Jaundice with weight loss in particular should be reviewed without delay. Seek urgent care, including A&E, if jaundice comes with a high fever and severe abdominal pain, which can suggest a serious bile-duct infection; call 995 if you become very unwell or collapse. For assessment of these symptoms, a gastroenterologist is the relevant specialist; you can find one through the best gastroenterologists in Singapore directory.
Related guides
- Best Gastroenterology Clinics in Singapore — our editorial shortlist
- gastroenterology clinics directory
- Sarcoma
- Croup
- Bronchiolitis
- Stomach cancer
- Peptic ulcer
Sources
- NHS – Pancreatic cancer
- Mayo Clinic – Pancreatic cancer
- HealthHub Singapore – Cancer
- National Cancer Centre Singapore
- SingHealth – Pancreatic cancer
Part of our Cancer care & screening guides · Browse all health topics