How long can one live with jaundice in the late stage of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant digestive tract tumor that is difficult to diagnose and treat. About 90% of pancreatic cancers are ductal adenocarcinomas that originate from the glandular duct epithelium. In recent years, its incidence and mortality have increased significantly.

Jaundice is an important symptom of pancreatic cancer, especially cancer of the pancreatic head. Jaundice is obstructive, accompanied by dark yellow urine and clay-like stools, and is caused by invasion or compression of the lower end of the common bile duct. Jaundice is progressive, and although there may be slight fluctuations, it cannot completely subside. Temporary relief of jaundice is related to the early resolution of periampullary inflammation, while in the late stage, jaundice caused by ampullary tumors is more likely to fluctuate due to invasion of the lower end of the common bile duct. When the head of the pancreas is affected, jaundice will occur in pancreatic body and tail cancer. Late jaundice in some pancreatic cancer patients is caused by liver metastasis. About a quarter of patients are combined with intractable skin itching, which is often progressive.

There are four methods to eliminate jaundice: After endoscopic retrograde pancreaticobiliary angiography identifies the site of obstruction, the success rate is higher in experienced units, but the disadvantage is that cholangitis may occur and the stent may be blocked again. If the above methods are unsuccessful, drainage can be performed through hepatobiliary puncture. If the drainage is smooth, a stent can be placed through the drainage channel. This method is slightly more traumatic than the above methods, and the success rate of placement is generally lower, so it is less used. However, even if a stent cannot be placed, external drainage can still be continued to eliminate jaundice.