News From the Bench. ...cells per cubic millimeter (mm 3) of blood. (CD4+ cells are a type of infection-fighting white blood cell and are a primary target of HIV .) Volunteers were randomized to receive one of two antiretroviral treatment (ART) strategies: continuous...
It is common for people with pancreatic cancer to experience jaundice. Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and eyes caused by excess bilirubin (a component of bile) in the blood. A tumor in the head of the pancreas can cause narrowing of the bile duct and block the bile flowing from the gallbladder into the small intestine. Blockage of the bile duct causes a buildup of bilirubin.
At this point, symptoms depend on the cancer 's location within the pancreas 1  : Pancreatic cancer in the head of the pancreas tends to cause symptoms such as weight loss, jaundice (yellow skin), dark urine, light stool color, itching, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, back pain, and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. Pancreatic cancer can cause a dull ache in the upper abdomen radiating to the back. 2  The pain may come and go. 3  Bloating. 4  Some people with pancreatic cancer have a sense of early fullness with meals (satiety) or an uncomfortable swelling in the abdomen. 5  Nausea. 6  Diarrhea. 7  Pale-colored stools.