Cancer symptoms: Watch out for THIS sign in your leg, could signal cancer

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for almost 10 million deaths in 2020. It is a chronic illness associated with the development of abnormal cells that can spread uncontrollably to various organs or tissues in the body. However, cancer can be treated if diagnosed early. Hence, one must opt for regular screenings and should be aware about the signs and symptoms that could indicate cancer.

Having said that, cancer can increase your chances of other health complications which in turn can induce pain in different parts of the body. Watch out for this particular sign in the leg!

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Pancreatic cancer is the formation of cancerous cells in the pancreas, an organ in the abdominal region in the lower part of the stomach, that releases enzymes good for digestion and produces hormones that help manage blood sugar.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), certain cancers can increase your risk of getting blood clots. Pancreatic cancer in general has the tendency to thicken the blood of the patient, turning it into a hyper-coagulative state. This is why a blood clot in the leg is sometimes the first sign of pancreatic cancer, as per the health body.

The condition is also known as deep vein thrombosis.

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Deep Vein Thrombosis occurs when a blood clot, also known as thrombus, forms in one or more of the deep veins in the body, especially legs.

Symptoms include:

- Swelling and pain in one leg, rarely in both the legs

- Reddened, warm skin around the affected area

- Swollen veins, hard and painful to touch

In certain, more serious cases, a piece of the clot can break and travel to the lungs, causing chest pain and shortness of breath. This is also called pulmonary embolism or PE.

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Apart from blood clot formation in the body, pancreatic cancer can cause other symptoms to appear.

Jaundice, which is the yellowing of the eyes and skin, is most common with pancreatic cancer, says the Cancer Society. It can lead to symptoms such as dark urine, light-colored greasy stool and itchy skin.

One may experience nausea and vomiting too, while others suffer from unintended weight loss and poor appetite.

Although rare, pancreatic cancer can also cause blood sugar levels to spike, leading to diabetes. Signs include thirst and frequent urination.

Depending on where your tumor is located, how far long has it progressed and how healthy you are, your treatment plan will be decided by your doctor. Some of the treatment options include.

- Surgery to remove the tumor

- Radiation therapy that uses high-beam energy to kill the cancer cells.

- Chemotherapy uses drugs that help eliminate cancer cells.

- Immunotherapy is a treatment that helps the body fight cancer.

- Targeted therapy attacks a particular gene or protein that assists the cancer in growing.