What does jaundice feel like with pancreatic cancer?

A blockage or narrowing of the bile duct can prevent bile from draining normally. This can make the whites of the eyes yellow, change the skin colour, darken urine and make stools pale or greasy. Itching may spread across the body and can be troublesome at night. Some people also notice loss of appetite, nausea, tiredness, back pain or discomfort beneath the ribs.

Jaundice can have causes other than pancreatic cancer, including gallbladder or liver problems. New yellowing needs medical assessment rather than a conclusion based on appearance alone.

Contact a doctor promptly for new jaundice, especially if urine is dark or stools are pale. Record when the colour change began and mention itching, pain, appetite changes, weight changes, fever and all medicines. A clinician may use blood tests and imaging to look for bile blockage and determine the next step. Do not stop prescribed medicines unless instructed.

Get urgent help for jaundice with fever or chills, severe abdominal or back pain, repeated vomiting, confusion, fainting, bleeding or breathing difficulty. These features may indicate infection, obstruction or another complication needing rapid treatment.

Ask whether bile drainage is affected, which tests are planned, how itching and nausea can be eased, and which symptoms should prompt emergency care. If cancer treatment is already underway, ask whether the jaundice changes the treatment plan.