Complications of Gallstones

Complications of gallstones may include:

Blockage of the common bile duct. In some cases, gallstones can block the ducts that lead from your gallbladder, liver or pancreas to your small intestine. The signs and symptoms of common bile duct obstruction include yellowing of the whites of the eyes and skin (jaundice), dark urine, and pain in the upper abdomen. If you also have fever and chills, you may have an underlying complication such as an inflamed gallbladder (cholecystitis) or an infection in your bile duct (cholangitis).

Inflammation of the pancreas. An obstruction in the common bile duct near the junction with the pancreatic duct can also cause a blockage in the pancreatic duct or inflammation of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis). In many people the common duct and the pancreatic duct empty into the duodenum at a common opening.
Pancreatitis is likely to cause an intense, constant pain in your upper abdomen that may radiate to your back or chest. The pain is usually worse when you lie flat and better when you sit up or bend forward. You may not be able to pass gas, and your abdomen may be tender and distended. Sometimes, you may also have nausea, vomiting and fever. In mild cases, symptoms usually subside within a few days to a week, but severe acute pancreatitis can be life-threatening.

Gallbladder cancer. People with gallstones are also more likely to develop gallbladder cancer. Researchers speculate that gallstones may cause your gallbladder to release bile more slowly, which increases inflammation and the amount of time cells are exposed to cancer-causing substances in the bile. However, gallbladder cancer is rare and the vast majority of people with gallstones never develop gallbladder cancer.