Which symptom is commonly associated with pancreatic cancer regarding gallbladder examination?

In pancreatic cancer, particularly when the tumor is located in the head of the pancreas, it can obstruct the common bile duct, leading to a condition known as biliary obstruction. This obstruction can cause the gallbladder to become distended with bile because the bile cannot flow normally into the small intestine.

Painless distension of the gallbladder, often observed during a physical examination, can be indicative of this obstructed bile flow rather than inflammation or infection. Although patients may also experience jaundice due to the imbalance of bile acids in the bloodstream, it is important to distinguish that the pain typically associated with jaundice is not a prominent feature in cases directly linked to pancreatic cancer.

Other options like ascites and swollen abdomen may also be observed in advanced stages of malignancy but are less specific to the gallbladder examination and more related to general tumor burden or peritoneal spread. In contrast, painless distension directly points to the obstruction caused by the underlying pancreatic pathology, making it a significant finding during gallbladder examination.