Bile duct cancer

Bile Duct Cancer
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Synonyms	Cholangiocarcinoma
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Jaundice, abdominal pain, weight loss
Complications	Liver failure, metastasis
Onset
Duration
Types	N/A
Causes
Risks	Primary sclerosing cholangitis, liver fluke infection
Diagnosis	Imaging, biopsy
Differential diagnosis	N/A
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Variable
Frequency	Rare
Deaths	N/A

Bile duct cancer, also known as cholangiocarcinoma, is a type of cancer that forms in the bile ducts, which are the slender tubes that carry the digestive fluid bile. Bile duct cancer is a rare but aggressive form of cancer that can occur in different parts of the bile duct system.

Classification

Bile duct cancer is classified based on its location:

• Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: Occurs in the bile ducts within the liver.
• Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: Occurs at the hilum, where the left and right hepatic ducts join and exit the liver.
• Distal cholangiocarcinoma: Occurs in the bile ducts outside the liver, closer to the small intestine.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of bile duct cancer can include:

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Abdominal pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Itching
• Dark urine
• Pale stools

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause of bile duct cancer is not well understood, but several risk factors have been identified:

• Chronic inflammation of the bile ducts, such as in primary sclerosing cholangitis
• Liver fluke infections, particularly in parts of Asia
• Bile duct cysts
• Chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of bile duct cancer typically involves a combination of:

• Imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
• Biopsy to obtain tissue samples for histological examination

Treatment

Treatment options for bile duct cancer depend on the location and stage of the cancer:

• Surgery: The primary treatment for resectable bile duct cancer. This may involve removal of part of the liver or bile duct.
• Chemotherapy: Used to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors.
• Radiation therapy: Often used in conjunction with surgery or chemotherapy.
• Palliative care: To manage symptoms and improve quality of life in advanced cases.

Prognosis

The prognosis for bile duct cancer varies depending on the stage at diagnosis and the success of treatment. Early-stage cancers that can be completely removed surgically have a better prognosis, while advanced-stage cancers have a poorer outlook.

Epidemiology

Bile duct cancer is rare, with higher incidence rates in Southeast Asia, where liver fluke infections are more common. In Western countries, it accounts for a small percentage of all cancers.

See Also

• Liver cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Gallbladder cancer

References

• American Cancer Society. "Bile Duct Cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma)."
• National Cancer Institute. "Bile Duct Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version."