What is the most likely diagnosis for a jaundiced patient with epigastric pain and recent weight loss?

The scenario presented describes a patient who is jaundiced, experiences epigastric pain, and has had recent weight loss. The combination of these symptoms significantly points towards pancreatic cancer as a potential diagnosis.

Jaundice occurs when there is an obstruction in the bile duct or when there is liver dysfunction, leading to a buildup of bilirubin in the bloodstream. In the case of pancreatic cancer, particularly when the tumor is located in the head of the pancreas, it can compress or invade the common bile duct, resulting in biliary obstruction and jaundice. Moreover, pancreatic cancer is often associated with notable weight loss, as the disease progresses and affects the patient's nutritional status. Epigastric pain is also common in pancreatic cancer due to the tumor's impact on surrounding structures and inflammation.

While other conditions such as hepatitis and gallbladder disease can also present with jaundice and abdominal pain, they typically have differing clinical features and may not align as closely with the symptom profile of significant weight loss. Hepatitis generally presents with systemic symptoms such as fatigue, while gallbladder disease might present with more localized pain and often includes findings related to gallstones.

Fatty liver disease is less likely to correlate with jaundice to the same extent and is usually asym