Bile Duct Cancer

Bile Duct Cancer What Is Bile Duct Cancer?

Bile duct cancer is a rare disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the bile ducts. Bile duct cancer, also known as cholangiocarcinoma. The bile ducts are a series of tubes that transport digestive juices called bile from your liver to your gallbladder.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Bile Duct Cancer?

In general, symptoms of bile duct cancer are similar to those of hepatitis and may not appear until the cancer is in a late stage. They can include: ▪

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

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Abdominal pain just under the ribs

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Fever

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Chalky stools

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Dark, cola-colored urine

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Itchy skin

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Fatigue

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Nausea

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Loss of appetite

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Unintentional weight loss

What are the Causes of Bile Duct Cancer?

There are numerous diseases and disorders linked to bile duct cancer ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

Primary sclerosing cholangitis: An inflammatory bile duct disease and the most common cause of bile duct cancer in the developing world Inflammatory bowel diseases: Including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, both of which are closely linked to primary sclerosing cholangitis Chronic liver diseases: Including cirrhosis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease Choledochal cysts: Cysts of the bile duct that block the flow of bile Parasitic liver parasites: Including liver flukes, which are more common in Asia and the developing world Congenital abnormalities of the liver or bile ducts: Including Carroli’s syndrome, Lynch syndrome II, and polycystic liver disease—all conditions that are present at birth

What are the Risk factor of Bile duct Cancer?

Having colitis or certain liver diseases can increase the risk of developing extrahepatic bile duct cancer. These include: ▪

Primary sclerosing cholangitis

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Chronic ulcerative colitis

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Choledochal cysts

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Cirrhosis – This is often caused by alcohol use or hepatitis

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Hepatitis B or C Infection with a Chinese liver fluke parasite

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Increasing age

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Obesity

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Diabetes: Having type 1 or type 2 diabetes increases your risk Exposure to chemicals such as dioxins or nitrosamines

How is Bile Duct Cancer diagnosed?

The liver Specialist Doctor will perform a physical examination and may take blood samples. Blood tests can check how well your liver is functioning and can be used to look for substances called tumor markers. Levels of tumor markers might rise in people with cholangiocarcinoma.

You may also need imaging scans such as an ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI scan.

These provide pictures of your bile ducts and the areas around them and can reveal tumors.

What are Treatment Options for the Bile Duct Cancer in Pune?

Your treatment options depend on the stage of cancer, your overall health, and your preferences about treatment. The following are standard treatments for bile duct cancer: Surgery Common surgical procedures used to treat bile duct cancer include: ▪ ▪ ▪

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Removal of the Bile Duct: If the tumor is small and only in the bile duct, the entire bile duct may be removed.

Partial Hepatectomy: Removal of the part of the liver where cancer is found.

Whipple Procedure: A surgical procedure in which the head of the pancreas, the gallbladder, part of the stomach, part of the small intestine, and the bile duct are removed.

Surgical Biliary Bypass: This is done if the tumor cannot be removed but is blocking the small intestine and causing bile to build up in the gallbladder.

Stent Placement: If the tumor is blocking the bile duct, a stent (a thin tube) may be placed in the duct to drain bile that has built up in the area.

Also, Other Treatment Options from the ▪

Radiation Therapy

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Chemotherapy

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Targeted Therapy

Book an Appointment: Dr. Manoj Dongare at Dr. D. Y. Patil Hospital and Research Center provides one of the best treatments for various Liver diseases in Pimpri Chinchwad Pune. For more information about our comprehensive treatment options, or to request an appointment with one of the best HPB and Liver Transplant surgeon in Pune call 09881379573 or Click on Book Appointment for online booking with your near hospital.