D’Angelo Dies of Pancreatic Cancer: 5 Early Signs You Must Not Ignore

Neo-soul legendary singer D’Angelo died after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at 51. The Brown Sugar hitmaker, born Michael Eugene Archer, was reportedly in a hospice for two weeks but had been in the hospital for months before his passing. “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,” his family said in a statement. “We are saddened that he can only leave dear memories with his family, but we are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind.

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.”

What is pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer occurs when cells in your pancreas begin to mutate and multiply out of control, forming a tumour. Your pancreas is a gland in your abdomen, between your spine and stomach. It makes hormones that control blood sugar levels and enzymes that aid in digestion. According to doctors, most of the pancreatic cancers start in the ducts of the pancreas. The main pancreatic duct – also known as the duct of Wirsung connects your pancreas to your common bile duct. While early-stage pancreatic tumours do not show up on imaging tests, that is one of the main reasons why experts say many people do not receive a diagnosis until the cancer has spread. Pancreatic cancer is also resistant to many common cancer drugs, making it notoriously difficult to treat. According to studies, pancreatic cancer is responsible for approximately 3 per cent of all cancers across the world and is the 10th most common cancer in men and the eighth most common cancer in women. Cases of pancreatic cancer are on the rise. Trends indicate that pancreatic cancer will be the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States by 2030.

Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer

Doctors say it is unfortunate that there are not many early signs of pancreatic cancer, and the symptoms typically emerge once the tumour starts impacting other organs in your digestive system. However, a few ones you need to take seriously include:

• Jaundice
• Dark urine
• Pain in the upper abdomen and middle back with chronic gas and bloating
• Extreme fatigue and tiredness
• Itchy skin all over the body

A few other common symptoms of cancer include:

• Lack of appetite
• Blood clots
• Weight loss
• New-onset diabetes

Your doctor may also suspect pancreatic cancer if you have recently developed diabetes or pancreatitis - a painful condition due to inflammation in your pancreas. A few symptoms of pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer can be different from traditional pancreatic cancer symptoms, like jaundice or weight loss.