Treatment to relieve pancreatic cancer symptoms

Your doctor will try to find out first what is causing your pain. For example, the tumour could be causing a blockage or it may be pressing on nearby organs or nerves. You don’t need to suffer - there are many ways to manage pain.

Treatment options include:

• Strong painkillers
• Radiotherapy, chemotherapy or surgery
• Nerve blocks and epidural injections

Let your team know how much pain you’re in. If one treatment doesn’t work, there are other options available.

Read more about managing pain.
 

Jaundice happens when the cancer blocks the bile ducts in your pancreas or if the cancer has spread to your liver. This causes the bile to be absorbed into your bloodstream instead. 

This can cause your skin and whites of your eyes to become yellow in colour. Your skin can get dry and itchy, your urine becomes dark in colour and your stools pale. You may feel sick, weak and tired, and have tummy pains.

Treatment options:

• Stents to open the bile duct
• Drainage tubes through the skin (into a bag)
• Bypass surgery

Tips

• Calamine lotion or cool water on your skin can help to ease the itching
• Baking soda can help to soothe and soften your skin too. Add a half cup of baking soda to a bath of warm water and soak in it 
• When washing, use a mild soap on your skin 
• Moisturise your skin with an unperfumed cream
• Ask your doctor about antihistamines for severe itching

If you have lost your appetite, are struggling with food or you are losing weight, speak to your medical team. 

How it’s managed:

• Pancreatic enzymes (tablets) to help digestion
• High-energy/calorie diets
• Anti-sickness tablets (helps if you have nausea)
• Medicines for diarrhoea or constipation
• Feeding tubes or IV nutrition if needed. In rare cases, your doctor may feel a feeding tube is necessary. This may be done if you cannot take in enough calories by mouth. Or your doctor may decide to give you nutrients directly into a vein. This is called total parenteral nutrition (TPN). TPN is usually only given if there is a blockage in the bowel.

Your dietitian will help you manage eating changes and make sure you’re getting enough nutrients.

Read more about eating problems and weight loss.

Vomiting can sometimes happen if the cancer is blocking your small intestine (duodenum). Food builds up where the blockage is and makes you feel sick (nausea) or vomit. It can affect your appetite as well so that you do not feel like eating.

Treatment options:

• Bypass surgery
• Stents
• Anti-sickness medication (helps ease the nausea and vomiting)

Fatigue is when you feel very tired and rest doesn’t seem to help. 

Read more about fatigue.