A number of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer have jaundice—yellowing of the skin and eyes resulting in the buildup of bilirubin, a pigment produced by the liver. In patients suffering from pancreatic cancer, jaundice occurs because of an obstruction in the bile duct due to cancerous tumor formation.
In addition to jaundice characterized by yellow skin and eye color, jaundice in patients with pancreatic cancer also includes dark urine, pale or greasy stool, and severe itching sensations. Interestingly enough, jaundice in patients with pancreatic cancer is painless.
For many, the first sign that something is seriously amiss is the appearance of jaundice, especially if the tumor is located at the head of the pancreas. This is because, being visually apparent, it is likely to prompt medical intervention sooner than other, less obvious, signs.Symptom checker tool
It is, however, worth noting that other, less serious, ailments can cause jaundice, including gallstones or liver problems. Nevertheless, if jaundice appears suddenly without an obvious cause, it is still considered an emergency.
The early detection of jaundice can, in some instances, result in the early detection of pancreatic cancer, which is vital due to the speed with which it can progress.
Weight loss
Pexels
