Pancreatitis causing body aches in the lymph nodes—is it pancreatic cancer?

For patients with pancreatitis experiencing generalized lymph node pain, this cannot directly indicate a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer are two distinct diseases. Although both involve the pancreas, their symptoms and manifestations may differ.

Pancreatitis is usually caused by physical, chemical factors or pathogenic bacteria invading the pancreas. It typically presents as severe upper abdominal pain, possibly radiating to the back, accompanied by symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. In contrast, symptoms of pancreatic cancer may include persistent upper abdominal or back pain, jaundice, and weight loss. It is highly destructive and may cause serious damage to other organs.

Generalized lymph node pain is not a symptom of pancreatic cancer and could be related to other conditions. Lymph node pain may result from lymphadenitis, infection, or other nonspecific inflammatory reactions. If symptoms of pancreatitis and lymph node pain occur simultaneously, it is recommended to seek timely medical attention for a comprehensive evaluation to determine the underlying cause, primarily through biochemical tests, contrast-enhanced CT scans, and pathological examinations. For swollen and painful lymph nodes, a systemic whole-body examination is required to rule out other potential causes such as lymphadenitis or connective tissue diseases.