In simple terms
When old red blood cells are recycled, the body creates a yellow substance called bilirubin. The liver usually filters this out and sends it down small drainage pipes, known as bile ducts, into the bowel. If a tumour blocks these drainage pipes, or if the liver is damaged by cancer, bilirubin backs up into the blood. This causes the whites of your eyes and your skin to turn yellow, your urine to darken, and your stools to become pale.
Key takeaways
- Jaundice results from a buildup of bilirubin in the blood and body tissues.
- Common accompanying signs include dark tea-coloured urine and pale stools.
- It is frequently caused by a tumour physically compressing the bile ducts.
- Biliary stenting is often required to normalise liver function before chemotherapy.
Definition
Jaundice occurs when excessive amounts of bilirubin—a yellowish pigment formed during the normal breakdown of red blood cells—accumulate in the bloodstream and deposit into body tissues. Under healthy conditions, the liver extracts bilirubin from circulation, conjugates it, and excretes it through bile ducts into the small intestine to aid digestion.
In cancer patients, jaundice most commonly arises from mechanical obstruction or hepatic dysfunction. Tumours located in the head of the pancreas, bile ducts, or adjacent lymph nodes can physically compress the biliary tree, preventing bile drainage. Alternatively, extensive tumour involvement within the liver parenchyma can impair the organ's ability to process bilirubin effectively.
Why it matters
Jaundice requires prompt medical evaluation because accumulating bile salts and bilirubin cause complications such as intense skin itching (pruritus), digestive problems, and an elevated risk of severe biliary infections (cholangitis). Furthermore, high bilirubin levels indicate hepatic stress, which often prevents oncologists from safely administering systemic anticancer drugs until the blockage is resolved and normal liver function is re-established.
Related biomarkers and tests
Blood tests, specifically liver function tests measuring total and conjugated bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and transaminases, confirm the severity. Diagnostic imaging, including abdominal ultrasound, contrast-enhanced CT, or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), is deployed to visualise the biliary system and locate any physical tumours causing an obstruction.
Related cancers
Jaundice is most frequently associated with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, particularly tumours located in the head of the pancreas. It also occurs regularly in cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer), gallbladder cancer, primary hepatocellular carcinoma, and in patients with extensive metastatic disease to the liver from colorectal, breast, or lung primaries.
Related treatments
Relieving jaundice is a clinical priority before starting or continuing systemic chemotherapy. Interventional procedures, such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC), are commonly performed to insert a flexible plastic or metal stent across the obstruction, restoring bile flow into the digestive tract.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I notice yellowing of my eyes or skin?
You should contact your oncology team immediately. Jaundice can quickly lead to complications like bile duct infection or impaired liver function, which can be dangerous and interrupt your cancer treatment plan. Urgent medical evaluation is essential.
Can jaundice be resolved without treating the underlying cancer?
Yes, the physical symptom can often be relieved mechanically. Doctors routinely place a small tube, called a stent, inside the blocked bile duct using endoscopic or radiological techniques. This bypasses the tumour and allows bile to drain freely again.
Why does jaundice cause severe skin itching?
When bile cannot drain through normal pathways into the intestine, bile salts and related compounds build up in the bloodstream and deposit into the skin. This causes nerve irritation, leading to intense pruritus that usually subsides once bile flow is restored.
References
- 1.Adult Central Nervous System and Hepatobiliary Symptoms— National Cancer Institute
- 2.Jaundice and Pancreatic Cancer Signs— American Society of Clinical Oncology
- 3.Biliary Tract Disorders and Oncological Management— European Society for Medical Oncology
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Last reviewed August 1, 2026
Medical disclaimer
Educational information only. GetOnco is software, not a medical provider, and does not diagnose disease or recommend treatments. Always discuss your situation with qualified healthcare professionals.