Stomach Cancer and Jaundice

My mother had cancer in prolific antrum and under went surgey on december 2007 and found that extended stage to gall blader, pancreas and limb node.She had under gone chemotherapy of 3 months course.Now she suffered with jaundice, and the report says biliary duct block and bilurubin level is 10.8.

She is 58 years old and Diabetic patient.

What will be the next level of treatment? Kindly advised us for next process.

Awaiting for reply.

Prabakar S

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi SriPrabu

Really sorry to hear about your mother. Looks like the cancer has infiltrated to the liver/bile duct also. I am sorry to say that the chances are high  as it was originally stomach cancer had already affected gall-bladder.
"The bile ducts are the tubes connecting the liver and gall bladder to the small intestine (small bowel). If cancer develops in the bile ducts it may block the flow of bile from the liver to the intestine. This causes the bile to flow back into the blood and body tissues, and leads to the skin and whites of the eyes becoming yellow (known as jaundice). The urine also becomes a dark yellow colour and stools (bowel motions) are pale. The skin may become itchy. Mild discomfort in the abdomen, loss of appetite, high temperatures (fevers) and weight loss may also occur.  

These symptoms can be caused by many things other than bile duct cancer, but any jaundice or any symptoms which get worse or last for a few weeks should always be checked by your doctor."; http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Cancertype/Bileduct/Bileductcancer#top

Certain tests can confirm this--ultrasound of the abdomen, CT Scan, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan, ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography), PTC (percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography), Angiography, biopsy, and Endoscopic ultrasound scan (EUS).

Please consult your specialist immediately.

Best
Doctornee

[ldyjsmyn]

SriPrabu,

Sorry to hear about your mother. Please do consult a specialist. I do have a small suggestion that may seem a little strange. If your mother does not sit outside in the sun very often it would be a good idea for her to do so about 15 minutes a day. Your body obtains certain minerals from the sun that most people do not realize. I am in no way a physician nor do I claim to have the answers. I am a thyroid cancer patient and was told that sitting in the sun would help me. I hope this helps and that your mother's health improves quickly.
Take care.