What causes jaundice in adults?
Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and eyes caused by abnormally high levels of bilirubin, an orangey-yellow pigment found in a liver secretion called bile.
In newborns, jaundice generally occurs because the liver is not fully developed. But in adults, it’s often a sign that something is wrong.
How long jaundice may last depends on its source. Read on to learn more about this symptom of many gastrointestinal cancers, as...

Stage III bile duct cancer survivor: ‘I can’t imagine being anywhere but MD Anderson’
For over two years, JoAnne Holly fought a terrible rash on her face and back. She visited several doctors and even had biopsies done. They...
Gallbladder cancer: 9 facts about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
Your gallbladder is a small sac located just under your liver on the right side of your abdomen. It stores and releases bile, which aids in...
A next-generation treatment for bile duct cancer
For patients with cholangiocarcinoma, or bile duct cancer, the first line of treatment often includes standard cancer treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. However, in the last few years, oncologists have found that there may be a better option for patients whose cancer has a mutation in the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR).
FGFR inhibitors, in combination with standard treatments,...

Ampullary cancer: 9 insights on this rare digestive system cancer
Ampullary cancer is a rare type of gastrointestinal cancer with symptoms so similar to pancreatic cancer that it is sometimes mistaken...
Biliary tract cancer survivor: Come to MD Anderson first
John Davis is one of the many regular gym-goers who was forced to reimagine his workout routine at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. ...
Why I decided to start donating blood at MD Anderson
When my husband, Jeff, was diagnosed with bile duct cancer in June 2019, I’d already been donating blood for almost 20 years. I especially...
How radiation therapy is used to treat bile duct and gallbladder cancer
Ethan Ludmir, M.D., grew up watching Star Wars. But unlike other fans, his favorite character wasn’t Luke Skywalker or Han Solo. Instead,...
Whipple procedure: 9 things to know
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, you may have heard of the Whipple procedure. This complex surgery is...
Chemotherapy side effect: hand-foot syndrome (palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia)
Hand-foot syndrome (also called palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia) is a side effect of some chemotherapy drugs that can cause redness, swelling...