Final answer:
Tumors in the body or tail of the pancreas usually present at advanced stages with vague symptoms like abdominal pain or weight loss. Jaundice is less common with these tumors due to their location. Pancreatic cancer's late detection often limits surgical treatment options and contributes to its status as a leading cause of cancer death.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tumors in the body or tail of the pancreas often remain asymptomatic for longer periods and tend to present at an advanced stage when they do cause symptoms. Because of the pancreas’s deep location in the retroperitoneum, tumors can grow relatively large before being detected. Symptoms, when they occur, are often vague and can include abdominal or back pain and unexplained weight loss.
Jaundice is less common with tumors in the body and tail of the pancreas, compared to those in the head of the pancreas, because they are less likely to obstruct the common bile duct early in their course. However, late presentation often means that surgical options are limited, emphasizing the need for improved early detection. Pancreatic cancer, notably in the body and tail of the pancreas, is the fourth most common cause of death due to cancer in the United States.