A 48 year old man presents with worsening pain in the upper abdomen for 1 week, in a background of yellowish discoloration of the eyes and intermittent dark urine for 2 months.

There is no history of similar episodes in the past; or of other medical or surgical diseases. However, he confesses that he postponed seeking medical attention until now, as he was "scared that he might have a serious illness." He has never smoked, and only drinks socially. There is no history of sexual promiscuity, blood transfusions, or intravenous drug abuse.

A complete blood count is only significant for a leukocytosis of 11,000/mm3. A renal profile is within normal parameters, as are serum amylase and lipase levels.