Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Had Discharge From Nose Before Death. Had Duct Cancer. What Could Be The Reason For Discharge?

My sister recently lost her husband to bile duct cancer. She is having nightmares because shortly before he died he had a pudding like discharge from his nose. No one prepared her for this. Her doctor emitted he had never seen anyone died. Their must be a medical explanation for this. I think it be helpful in her healing if this could be explained.
Tue, 7 May 2013
Report Abuse
General Surgeon 's  Response
Hi and welcome to HCm Thank you for your query.
I dont see why is this bothering you so much. Patients who dies from cancer always die from some particular reason. Usualy this is cardiorespiratory failure and in these cases fluid accumulates in respiratory tract including nose and mouth. There is nothing strange in it. YOur sister need psyhological help and I understand your concerns and I am sure she ll feel better after sometime. Wish you good health.
I find this answer helpful
Oncologist Dr. dr. Jawahar Ticku's  Response
Dear Lmbarno,

I feel sory about the plight of your sister and have sympathies for her.

Bile duct cancer leads to blockage of ducts in the liver. All the bile gets collected in the liver and there is obstructive variety of jaundice leading to liver faliure, and hepatic encephalopathy.

Due to liver faliure the blood clotting system fails with the result there is leakage of blood or dark colored material from the least resistant sites of the body of which the nose is the one. Secondly due to smooth muscle faliure at the time of death the contents of the stomach regurgitate either through nose or mouth. If any items swallowed earlier have passed beyond stomach there is leakage from the rectum. Nose is the easiest site.

I hope I have been able to explain you the cause.

Truly,

Dr. J. Ticku
I find this answer helpful

Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Hepatic encephalopathy


Loading Online Doctors....
Had Discharge From Nose Before Death. Had Duct Cancer. What Could Be The Reason For Discharge?

Hi and welcome to HCm Thank you for your query. I dont see why is this bothering you so much. Patients who dies from cancer always die from some particular reason. Usualy this is cardiorespiratory failure and in these cases fluid accumulates in respiratory tract including nose and mouth. There is nothing strange in it. YOur sister need psyhological help and I understand your concerns and I am sure she ll feel better after sometime. Wish you good health.