What is a common symptom of a pancreatic tumor that obstructs the bile duct?

The common symptom of a pancreatic tumor that obstructs the bile duct is weight loss. This occurs because pancreatic tumors can lead to a decrease in appetite and malabsorption of nutrients due to the disruption of normal digestive processes. The bile duct obstruction causes a backup of bile, which may lead to jaundice, but the overall impact may contribute to significant weight loss as the body is unable to process food effectively.

In addition to weight loss, patients may also experience other symptoms related to bile duct obstruction, such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, and light-colored stool. However, these signs reflect more direct effects of bile duct obstruction rather than symptoms like pain or cough, which are not directly associated with pancreatic tumors obstructing the bile duct. Thus, weight loss stands out as a prevalent and significant symptom in this clinical scenario.