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Cholangiocarcinoma

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Digestive system
Digestive system
Bile pathway
Bile pathway

Alternative Names    Return to top

Bile duct cancer

Definition    Return to top

Cholangiocarcinoma is a cancerous (malignant) growth in one of the ducts that carries bile from the liver to the small intestine.

Causes    Return to top

Cancerous tumors of the bile ducts are usually slow-growing and do not spread (metastasize) quickly. However, many of these tumors are already advanced by the time they are found.

A cholangiocarcinoma may start anywhere along the bile ducts. These tumors block off the bile ducts.

They affect both men and women. Most patients are older than 65.

Ricks for this condition include:

Cholangiocarcinoma is rare. It occurs in approximately 2 out of 100,000 people.

Symptoms    Return to top

Exams and Tests    Return to top

Tests that show a tumor or blockage in the bile duct:

Blood tests that show abnormal function:

Treatment    Return to top

The goal is to treat the cancer and the blockage it causes. When possible, surgery to remove the tumor is the treatment of choice and may result in a cure. However, often the cancer has already spread by the time it is diagnosed.

Chemotherapy or radiation may be given after surgery to decrease the risk of the cancer returning. However, the benefit of this treatment is not certain.

Endoscopic therapy or surgery can clear blockages in the biliary ducts and relieve jaundice in patients when the tumor cannot be removed.

For patients with cancer that cannot be removed, radiation therapy may be beneficial. Chemotherapy may be added to radiation therapy or used when the tumor has spread. However, this is rarely effective.

Support Groups    Return to top

You can ease the stress of illness by joining a support group with members who share common experiences and problems (see cancer - support group).

Hospice is often a good resource for patients with cholangiocarcinoma that cannot be cured.

Outlook (Prognosis)    Return to top

Completely removing the tumor allows 30% - 40% of patients to survive for at least 5 years, with the possibility of a complete cure.

If the tumor cannot be completely removed, a cure is generally not possible. With treatment, about half of these patients live a year, and about half live longer.

Possible Complications    Return to top

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

Call your health care provider if you have jaundice or other symptoms of cholangiocarcinoma.

References    Return to top

Lillemoe KD. Tumors of the gallbladder, bile ducts, and ampulla. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ. Feldman: Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier: chap 66.

Update Date: 9/4/2008

Updated by: Sean O. Stitham, MD, private practice in Internal Medicine, Seattle, Washington; and James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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