10 Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer Explained Following D'Angelo's Death at 51

The Disease Is Known as the 'Silent Killer'

Neo-soul pioneer D'Angelo has passed away at 51 after a 'prolonged and courageous' fight with cancer, his family has confirmed.

The Grammy award-winning artist died on Tuesday, October 14, reportedly from pancreatic cancer.

D'Angelo was a key figure in the neo-soul movement, blending elements of soul, funk, jazz, and R&B. He rose to fame with his debut album Brown Sugar in 1995, which achieved platinum status.

His second album, 2000's Voodoo, featured the hit 'Untitled (How Does It Feel),' known for its minimalist music video that propelled him to greater fame.

D'Angelo also worked with artists like Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, and his former partner Angie Stone, with whom he shares a son. Stone passed away in a car accident earlier this year at 63.

In a statement to Variety, his family expressed: "The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life… After a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer, we are heartbroken to announce that Michael D’Angelo Archer, known to his fans around the world as D’Angelo, has been called home, departing this life today, October 14th, 2025."

"We are saddened that he can only leave cherished memories with his family, but we are eternally grateful for the legacy of incredibly moving music he leaves behind."

They concluded: "We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time but invite you all to join us in mourning his passing while also celebrating the gift of song that he has left for the world."

Approximately 67,440 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year, accounting for 3.3 percent of all new cancer cases, according to the National Cancer Institute.

What is pancreatic cancer?

The pancreas serves two primary functions: producing enzymes for food digestion and creating hormones to regulate blood sugar levels.

It is situated in the upper abdomen, behind the stomach and in front of the spine.

The Mayo Clinic explains that the most prevalent form of pancreatic cancer starts in the ductal cells that transport digestive enzymes from the pancreas, known as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Alarmingly, pancreatic cancer is seldom detected early because symptoms usually don't appear until it has metastasized to other body parts.

Due to this, the Royal College of Nursing magazine states that the disease is often dubbed 'the silent killer'.

Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer

Although symptoms may not appear until the cancer is more advanced, it's crucial to recognize them early.

The Mayo Clinic identifies 10 key symptoms of pancreatic cancer to be aware of.

Many symptoms are subtle and may be mistaken for other shorter-term illnesses or lifestyle factors.

These symptoms include abdominal pain that radiates to the back and sides, loss of appetite, and weight loss.

Fatigue, weakness, and itchiness are also potential indicators.

Changes in bowel habits may occur, such as light-colored or floating stools and dark-colored urine.

Additional signs include jaundice, where the skin and eyes become yellow. This results from the cancer obstructing the bile duct, which transports bile from the liver to the small intestine. Bile, which aids in digestion, contains bilirubin, a yellow pigment. A blockage can lead to a build-up of bilirubin in the blood, causing jaundice, as explained by Pancreatic Cancer UK explains.

A recent diagnosis of diabetes, or difficulty managing existing diabetes, is also concerning. Diabetes arises when the body has elevated blood sugar levels due to insufficient insulin production or ineffective insulin function.

The last symptom to note is pain and swelling in an arm or leg, possibly due to a blood clot.

If you have any concerns, contact your GP promptly.