Jaundice and Pancreatic Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, and What You Need to Know

When jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes caused by excess bilirubin in the blood shows up out of nowhere, it’s not just a harmless glitch. In many cases, especially in adults over 50, it’s a red flag for something serious—like pancreatic cancer, a deadly form of cancer that starts in the pancreas and often spreads before symptoms appear. Unlike jaundice from a bad night or a cold, this kind doesn’t go away on its own. It happens because a tumor in the head of the pancreas presses on the common bile duct, blocking the flow of bile from the liver. That’s when bilirubin backs up, stains your skin yellow, and your urine turns dark. It’s one of the clearest, most direct signs that something inside your body has gone seriously wrong.

People often mistake jaundice for liver trouble alone, but bile duct obstruction, a blockage that stops bile from moving from the liver to the small intestine is the real culprit here. Pancreatic cancer is the third most common cause of this blockage, after gallstones and strictures. And unlike those, cancer doesn’t resolve with rest or diet. If jaundice comes with unexplained weight loss, new-onset diabetes, or belly pain that wraps around to your back, it’s not just bad luck—it’s a signal to get tested. Blood tests showing high bilirubin, abnormal liver enzymes, and imaging like CT scans or MRIs are the next steps. Early detection matters. Only about 20% of pancreatic cancers are caught before they spread, but those who are caught early have a much better shot at treatment that actually works.

You won’t find miracle cures here, but you will find clear facts about what’s happening in your body. The posts below cover how jaundice from cancer differs from other types, what blood tests actually show, how imaging helps doctors spot tumors, and what treatments like stents or chemotherapy can do when the bile duct is blocked. You’ll also see how medications can help manage symptoms like itching or nausea, and what side effects to watch for when you’re on treatment. This isn’t about fear—it’s about knowing what to ask for, what to expect, and when to push for more answers. If you or someone you care about is dealing with jaundice and a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, these resources give you the practical, no-fluff information you need to make smarter decisions.