Bile duct cancer, also called cholangiocarcinoma, is a cancer that’s found anywhere in the bile ducts.The bile ducts are small tubes that connect different organs. They are part of the digestive system.How serious bile duct cancer is depends on where it is in the bile ducts, how big it is, if it has spread and your general health.
Main symptoms of bile duct cancer
Bile duct cancer may not have any symptoms, or they can be hard to spot.
Symptoms of bile duct cancer can include:
- your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow (jaundice), you may also have itchy skin, darker pee and paler poo than usual
- loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
- feeling generally unwell
- feeling tired or having no energy
- a high temperature, or you feel hot or shivery
Other symptoms can affect your tummy, such as:
- feeling or being sick
- pain in your tummy
Who is more likely to get bile duct cancer
Anyone can get bile duct cancer. It’s not always clear what causes it.
You might be more likely to get it if you:
- are over the age of 65
- have certain medical conditions, such as abnormal bile ducts, long term swelling in the bowel (ulcerative colitis) or bile ducts, a parasite in the liver (liver flukes), bile duct stones and liver cirrhosis
Information:
It’s important to get any symptoms of bile duct cancer checked by a GP.
Anyone can get bile duct cancer, even if you do not think you have a higher chance of getting it.
You will need more tests and scans to check for bile duct cancer if the GP refers you to a specialist.
These tests can include:
- blood tests
- scans, like an ultrasound scan (sometimes from inside your body using an endoscope), CT scan, or MRI scan
- collecting a small sample of cells from the bile ducts (called a biopsy) to be checked for cancer
- a test called an ERCP
- a special kind of X-ray called PTC
You may not have all these tests.
These tests can also help find problems in other nearby organs. Such as your pancreas, gallbladder or liver.
Getting your results
It can take several weeks to get the results of your tests.
Try not to worry if your results are taking a long time to get to you. It does not definitely mean anything is wrong.
You can call the hospital or GP if you are worried. They should be able to update you.
A specialist will explain what the results mean and what will happen next. You may want to bring someone with you for support.
If you’re told you have bile duct cancer
Being told you have bile duct cancer can feel overwhelming. You may be feeling anxious about what will happen next.
It can help to bring someone with you to any appointments you have.
A group of specialists will look after you throughout your diagnosis, treatment and beyond.
Your team will include a clinical nurse specialist who will be your main point of contact during and after treatment.
You can ask them any questions you have.
If you’ve been told you have bile duct cancer, you may need more tests.
These, along with the tests you’ve had already, will help the specialists find out the size of the cancer and how far it’s spread (called the stage).
Find out more about what cancer stages and grades mean.
You may need:
- a PET scan, sometimes with a CT scan (PET-CT)
- a small operation to look inside your tummy, called a laparoscopy
The specialists will use the results of these tests and work with you to decide on the best treatment plan for you.
Treatment for bile duct cancer
Bile duct cancer is often treatable. But it can be difficult to treat.
The treatment you have will depend on:
- the size and type of bile duct cancer you have
- where it is
- if it has spread
- your general health
It may include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
The specialist care team looking after you will:
- explain the treatments, benefits and side effects
- work with you to create a treatment plan that is best for you
- help you manage any side effects, including changes to your diet to help with your digestion
You’ll have regular check-ups during and after any treatments. You may also have tests and scans.
If you have any symptoms or side effects that you are worried about, talk to your specialists. You do not need to wait for your next check-up.
Surgery
Your treatment will depend on if the cancer can be removed or not.
Surgery to remove bile duct cancer
If bile duct cancer is found early and it has not spread, you should be able to have surgery to remove it.
This will usually involve removing all or parts of the bile duct, as well as parts of other organs or lymph nodes around it. Lymph nodes are part of your body’s immune system.
Surgery to help control symptoms of bile duct cancer
If the cancer has spread too far and cannot be removed, you may have surgery to help control some symptoms of bile duct cancer.
This can include surgery to:
- unblock the bile duct or stop it getting blocked, which helps with jaundice
- unblock the first part of the small intestine or stop it getting blocked, which helps with feeling or being sick
- bypass a blockage in the bile duct or small intestine, which helps with jaundice and feeling or being sick
The aim of these operations is to help improve your symptoms and help you live longer, not to cure the cancer.