PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

What is an additional symptom of pancreatic carcinoma besides painless jaundice?

1. Severe headaches

2. Weight gain

3. Unexplained weight loss

4. Increased appetite

The correct answer is: Unexplained weight loss

The presence of unexplained weight loss in pancreatic carcinoma is significant and often associated with the disease. In pancreatic cancer, the tumor can disrupt normal digestive function and hormone production, leading to malabsorption of nutrients. As the body struggles to maintain its energy balance and compensate for the effects of the cancer, individuals often experience a decrease in body weight despite regular or increased caloric intake. Additionally, unexplained weight loss in pancreatic cancer may also be related to the body's increased metabolic rate in response to cancer, the energy demands of the tumor itself, and potential changes in appetite associated with digestive difficulties or bodily responses to cancer. The other symptoms provided do not typically correlate with pancreatic cancer in the same way. Severe headaches are more often associated with other conditions, weight gain is not a common feature due to the disease's nature, and increased appetite is counterproductive since patients usually experience a loss of appetite due to discomfort or gastrointestinal issues related to the illness.