Most of the cancerous cells that develop in the internal organs are generally asymptomatic. They grow slowly and even spread to the other nearby tissues without having any such warning signs. However, they do give an alarming indication that most individuals overlook—jaundice.
It is a condition that is characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes and is caused by the accumulation of bilirubin in the blood. Contrary to popular belief, jaundice is actually not a disease; rather, it is a symptom of underlying health issues that people are not even aware of in the absence of any physical complications.
When an individual suffers from jaundice, that means that their bile duct is either blocked or obstructed, which makes it difficult for the bile to drain into the small intestine. Those blockages mainly result from different conditions like gallstones, hepatitis, infections, scarring, and even inflammation.
A jaundice treatment doctor stated that jaundice can even happen as a result of the formation of a tumour in the bile duct, pancreas and in rare cases, the liver. Over time, the tumour becomes malignant and grows uncontrollably forming a type of cancer in the bile ducts known as cholangiocarcinoma.
It is to be remembered that a tumour in the bile duct may or may not cause jaundice. However, if you suddenly develop jaundice without any reason, it can be one of the first signs of cancer.
In that case, only a thorough medical examination will help to determine the exact reason behind jaundice and make sure that the bilirubin levels return to normal.
Possible Signs Indicating Bile Duct Cancer
As mentioned above, like most cancers, the emergence of cancerous cells in the bile duct does not have any such signs in the initial stage until the flow of bile is blocked, which is the advanced stage.
Before that or during the condition, you might also experience the following changes in your body, indicating the possibility of cancer.
- Itchy skin
- Sudden weight loss
- Having no energy most of the time
- A very high fever
- Dark-coloured urine
- Greasy stools
- Frequent nausea and vomitting
- Acute abdominal pain
- Burning or bloating feeling in the stomach
- Swelling in the arms and legs
- Loss of appetite
- A nauseous feeling
If you encounter any of these issues for a long time, don’t delay treatment, considering it to be a negligible problem. Also, even if you are suffering from jaundice, there is nothing to panic about the disease as it does not guarantee cancer.
Follow the doctor’s advice to figure out the main problem and protect your health.
What If I Have Bile Duct Cancer?
First, your doctor will recommend a cancer screening to determine its stage and severity. Based on the condition, you will be advised of surgery or chemotherapy to shrink the cancer cells. From time to time, other tests will also be done to see whether the treatment is not working and if the cancer has started spreading to other parts.
Final Words
A jaundice treatment doctor stated that it is crucial to identify the cause of jaundice for early detection of any serious condition to get the best chance of success. The earlier the cancer gets diagnosed, the greater the survival chance.
