Is that you? Your eyes and face look unusually yellow.
A man in his 80s was startled by his friend’s remark. His children noticed his yellowish complexion and insisted he see a doctor. Despite his confidence in his health, the man dismissed these concerns as mere fatigue. His friend’s comment led him to undergo several medical tests, and days later, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Our bodies often send subtle signals when health issues arise. Recognizing these cues is crucial for early disease detection and timely treatment.
In this man’s case, the yellowing of his eyes and face was a telltale sign of jaundice.
Jaundice typically begins with the whites of the eyes turning yellow before gradually spreading throughout the body. While one might wonder how such a change could go unnoticed, jaundice often develops slowly, making it challenging for individuals and their families to detect it immediately.
Dr. Lee Kyung Joo Lee from Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital emphasizes that jaundice can be easily overlooked. He advises monitoring other physical changes in addition to the skin’s yellowing.
Jaundice can result from two primary causes: excessive bilirubin production due to hemolytic anemia (where red blood cells are destroyed at an abnormal rate) or liver damage that impairs normal bilirubin processing.
Also, tumors such as pancreatic or bile duct cancer can cause jaundice by obstructing the bile duct.
Dr. Lee explains that bile, produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder, typically moves through the bile duct to the small intestine during digestion to aid in fat breakdown. When bile can’t be expelled usually, bilirubin pigment accumulates in the body, leading to jaundice. If cancer is the underlying cause, proceeding with surgery or chemotherapy while jaundiced can lead to complications. It’s crucial to address the jaundice before initiating cancer treatment.
Persistent jaundice during cancer treatment can result in serious complications, including cholangitis, coagulation disorders, liver failure, and sepsis. The challenge lies in the time required for jaundice to improve—up to four weeks—potentially delaying critical cancer treatment windows.
Dr. Lee details the treatment process, stating that when cancer causes bile duct obstruction, an endoscope is inserted through the duodenum to clear the blockage and place a stent, allowing bile to flow normally. This process, including the resolution of jaundice symptoms, can take two to four weeks, delaying aggressive cancer treatment. Thus, prompt jaundice treatment is vital.
He adds that urine may darken as bile components are excreted, so monitoring urine color is advisable. Weight loss, digestive issues, and decreased appetite may also accompany cancer-related jaundice.
“Silent cancers” like pancreatic or bile duct cancer often present few early symptoms. Pancreatic tumors near the head of the pancreas may cause jaundice, enabling earlier detection. However, tumors in the body or tail of the pancreas may not cause jaundice until later stages, complicating early diagnosis.
Dr. Lee cautions that many patients miss critical treatment opportunities by failing to recognize jaundice symptoms. As jaundice can be a key indicator of early-stage cancer, anyone suspecting jaundice should seek immediate medical attention and testing.
