A 60-year-old patient was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and asks the nurse caring for him about the possible complications of this disease. The nurse is correct when he answers which of the following?

Explanation

•Weight gain is not a usual complication of cancer. Weight loss is common with most malignancies, especially pancreatic cancer.

•Weight loss can be due to the increased metabolic demands of malignant cells, loss of appetite, or even emotional stress over the daily challenges of having cancer. Weight loss occurs most frequently with cancers of the stomach, lungs, esophagus and pancreas.

•Complications for pancreatic cancer include blood clots, depression, infections, jaundice, pain, and weight loss.

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