Bile Duct Cancer is a rare but aggressive type of cancer in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the bile ducts. The bile duct system, or "biliary" system, is made up of a series of tubes that begin in the liver and end in the small intestine. Bile is a fluid the digestive system uses to help break down fats and digest foods. Bile duct cancer is also called cholangiocarcinoma.
2) Extrahepatic bile duct cancer: : This type of cancer forms in the bile ducts outside the liver. The extrahepatic bile duct is made up of the hilum region and the distal region. Cancer can form in either region:
These and other signs and symptoms may be caused by bile duct cancer or by other conditions. Check with your doctor if you have any of the following:
Cholangiocarcinoma occurs when cells in the bile ducts develop changes (mutations) in their DNA — the material that provides instructions for every chemical process in your body. DNA mutations cause changes in the instructions. One result is that cells may begin to grow out of control and eventually form a tumor — a mass of cancerous cells. It's not clear what causes the genetic mutations that lead to cancer.
Surgical treatment is the only option that offers a cure, especially if your cancer has been caught early and hasn’t spread beyond your liver or bile ducts. Sometimes, if a tumor is still confined to the bile ducts, you may only need to have the ducts removed. If the cancer has spread beyond the ducts and into your liver, part or all of the liver may have to be removed. If your entire liver must be removed, you’ll need a liver transplant to replace it.
If your cancer has invaded nearby organs, a Whipple procedure may be carried out. In this procedure, your surgeon removes:
Factors that may increase your risk of cholangiocarcinoma include: