Can late-stage pancreatic cancer cause vomiting blood?

Written by Cui Fang Bo
Oncology
Updated on May 25, 2025
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For patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, there is a possibility of vomiting blood.

Vomiting blood is one of the manifestations of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. In some cases, patients with pancreatic cancer may experience upper gastrointestinal bleeding:

1. Stress ulcers, in patients with advanced tumors, sometimes occur due to extreme physical debilitation, leading to stress ulcers. These ulcers cause localized erosion of the gastric mucosa, eventually leading to bleeding;

2. Thrombocytopenia, for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, most need to undergo systemic chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can suppress the function of the bone marrow, leading to a reduction in peripheral white blood cells and platelets. When platelets decrease to a certain level, the body's clotting functions may be impaired, concurrently leading to upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

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Reasons for the low resection rate of pancreatic cancer

The resection rate for pancreatic cancer is relatively low because the pancreas is located behind the peritoneum in a deep position. In the early stages of pancreatic cancer, there are often no specific clinical symptoms. Therefore, by the time pancreatic cancer is detected in patients, it is usually already in the advanced stages. The pancreas is surrounded by blood vessels and nerves. Therefore, if it is found in the late stage, the surgical difficulty is very high, making it difficult to remove surgically, which is why the surgical resection rate for pancreatic cancer is low.

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The difference between pancreatic tumors and pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic tumors include benign and malignant tumors, with malignant pancreatic tumors commonly referred to as pancreatic cancer. Benign pancreatic tumors include insulinomas, pancreatic cysts, lipomas of the pancreas, or fibromas, which are relatively rare in clinical settings. Whether benign or malignant, including pancreatic cancer, symptoms can include upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice, among other clinical signs. However, distinguishing between benign and malignant tumors requires pathological examination.

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Classification of the Malignancy of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer can also be described as a malignant tumor occurring in the pancreas, generally with a high malignancy level, resulting in a higher probability of patient death. To understand the classification of pancreatic cancer, it can be categorized based on the location of occurrence within the pancreas and the pathological type. Based on the location of occurrence, pancreatic cancer can generally be divided into cancers of the pancreatic head, body, tail, and entire pancreas. According to the pathological types of pancreatic cancer, it can be classified into ductal adenocarcinoma, and also some special types of ductal-origin cancers, which generally include pleomorphic carcinoma, mucinous carcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma, mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, and signet ring cell carcinoma, among others.

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What are the symptoms of pancreatic cancer?

The clinical manifestations of pancreatic cancer mainly depend on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, whether there is metastasis, and the involvement of adjacent organs. The clinical characteristics include a short disease course, rapid progression, and swift deterioration. The most common symptom is upper abdominal distension and discomfort, pain, though not all patients experience tenderness; if tenderness is present, it aligns with the area of pain felt. Pain is a primary symptom of pancreatic cancer, present whether the cancer is located in the head or the body/tail of the pancreas. Jaundice is a main symptom of cancer in the head of the pancreas, and patients often exhibit more severe gastrointestinal symptoms, most commonly loss of appetite, followed by nausea and vomiting. There might also be diarrhea or constipation, even melena. Diarrhea is often steatorrhea. In the early stages of pancreatic cancer, common symptoms include weight loss and fatigue.

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Can patients with advanced pancreatic cancer eat watermelon?

Patients with advanced pancreatic cancer can eat watermelon. This is because many patients with advanced pancreatic cancer experience liver metastasis. Cancerous tissues damage liver cells, leading to impaired liver function and abnormal glycogen metabolism. Many patients may experience episodes of hypoglycemia, and eating watermelon can help replenish blood sugar, which is beneficial for the patients. Additionally, many patients with advanced pancreatic cancer suffer from a decline in appetite, and watermelon can stimulate their appetite and increase their food intake, which is also beneficial for their recovery. Thirdly, watermelon has a certain diuretic effect. Since many patients with advanced pancreatic cancer also suffer from hypoproteinemia, they are prone to edema. Eating watermelon can promote an increase in urine output, thereby helping to alleviate edema.