Ngoc Chau, your symptoms of abdominal pain and back pain, even if not related to your menstrual cycle, could suggest an underlying condition, including pancreatic issues. While back pain and chronic pancreatitis can be indicators, a definitive diagnosis requires a thorough medical evaluation. It is important to consult an oncology specialist for examination, diagnosis of the cause, and appropriate treatment.

Pancreatic cancer often presents with no clear symptoms in its early stages. Most patients are diagnosed at a late stage, leading to a poor prognosis. In advanced stages, patients may experience unexplained weight loss, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, heartburn, abdominal pain, and digestive disorders. If a tumor in the pancreas grows and compresses the bile duct, patients may develop jaundice, yellow eyes, dark urine, and pale stools due to bile duct obstruction.

Pancreatic cancer originates from either the endocrine cells, which produce hormones released directly into the bloodstream, or the exocrine cells of the pancreas, which produce digestive enzymes secreted into the small intestine.

Doctor Diep consults a patient. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Doctor Diep consults a patient. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

If pancreatic cancer is suspected, doctors will order blood tests and imaging studies such as ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI scans for diagnosis. Some imaging diagnostics require an endoscope, a long, tubular device, to be inserted into the body to examine lesions.

An MRI scan helps clearly assess the structure of the pancreas and bile ducts. Specifically, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) can visualize the bile duct system and pancreatic duct without the need for contrast agents, as bile fluid naturally generates signals in the images. Laparoscopic abdominal surgery may be indicated to examine abdominal organs and help detect metastatic lesions that other imaging methods have not yet identified. In some cases, doctors may take tissue samples for biopsy; however, pancreatic tumor biopsies are typically performed using endoscopic ultrasound (EUS).

Regular health check-ups help detect abnormalities early, increasing the chance of treating diseases in their initial stages and improving patients' quality of life.

Doctor Kim Thi Be Diep

Department of Oncology, Oncology Center

Tam Anh General Hospital, TP HCM