A member asked:

If you have pancreatic cancer, do you always get jaundice? also is there a link between p/c and fatty liver? both found by u/s at same time

5 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Dr. Julie Abbott answered

Specializes in Preventive Medicine

While jaundice,: result of obstruction to bile ducts, is very common in pancreatic cancer, especially in more advanced disease, it is not always present. I would think the majority of cases, though, over 50%, would reveal themselves (present) with obstructive symptoms: jaundice, dark urine, pale stool, itching. Fatty liver does not cause pancreatic cancer but, you are correct, can be discovered with an ultrasound.

Answered 1/27/2018

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Dr. answered

Not always: Pancreatic cancer often causes jaundice (if the cancer is near the head of the pancreas it blocks bile from exiting the liver) but not always. From my reading, obesity & increased abdominal girth are risk factors for the development of pancreatic cancer and it is theorised that fatty liver may also increase the risk but not definitely a cause.

Answered 2/2/2018

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