What Are The Warning Signs Of Small Intestine Cancer?

Jaundice

Jaundice or hyperbilirubinemia is characterized by the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes due to too much bilirubin in the blood. In healthy individuals, the liver processes bilirubin into bile fluid that is then stored in the gallbladder. When the bile fluid is needed for digestion, it leaves the gallbladder and moves through the common bile duct into the small intestine. It is then used to break down fats in food into fatty acids for intestinal absorption. Bile fluids are finally reabsorbed by the lower part of the small intestine or the ileum. After being reabsorbed, bile fluids are resynthesized by the liver and go through the same process again. This mechanism keeps bilirubin in the blood at the proper level. However, some patients develop a malignant tumor in the upper part of the small intestine that blocks the entrance of the bile duct into the small intestine. The tumor stops bile fluid from draining from the bile duct into the intestine, causing it to accumulate. Once the bile ducts, gallbladder, and liver are at capacity, the bilirubin spills into the bloodstream. Too much bilirubin in the blood causes jaundice because of bilirubin's strong yellow pigmentation.

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