My boss was diagnosed with bile duct cancer in January of 2011. He is no longer getting chemotherapy . The cancer has spread to his lymph nodes. Within the last two days I have noticed his skin and eyes becoming very yellow. I m concerned that he does not have much time left. Can you tell me generally how long he will live with jaundice like this? There are no treatment options left for him, not even clinical trials.
Dear Leighcrwfrd, Thanks for your query. You and all well-wisher of your Boss should support and motivate him for proper treatment. To minimize the ill-effect of jaundice on liver and remaining body, stent (tube) may be placed across the blockage of bile-duct cancer to facilitate bile flow to intestine. So jaundice, itching will be controlled. Surgery is the best treatment as it removes tumor from body, provided tumor is well localized and this is assessed on CENT or MRI of abdomen. To prevent further progression of tumor, usually chemotherapy is advised but unfortunately in they have only small benefit compared to cancer of another organs. Newer chemotherapy Chat Doctor.  To participate in trial, patient and family should be well motivated. With regards