What is Bile Duct Cancer?
When abnormal cells proliferate uncontrollably inside your bile ducts, this is known as cholangiocarcinoma or bile duct cancer.
Bile ducts are long, thin tubes that are 4 and 5 inches in length and carry bile, a liquid produced by your liver, to the gallbladder & small intestine. Intestinal bile aids in the digestion of dietary fat.
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Dr. Praveen Kammar
MS, MRCS, MCH Consultant Surgical Oncologist
The location and stage of cancer at the time of diagnosis are just two of the numerous factors that will affect how well patients respond to treatment. As opposed to certain other tumours, the bile duct is located deep within the body, therefore in the initial stages, people won’t experience any symptoms.
People with malignancies that begin outside of the liver typically live longer than those with tumours inside.
However, if the disease has progressed to certain other parts of the body, the prognosis is essentially the same regardless of where it begins.
What causes bile duct cancer?
The exact cause of bile duct carcinoma is unknown to experts. According to research, certain factors, such as persistent inflammation brought on by illnesses like Sclerosing cholangitis is the main cause.
Another fact that might cause bile duct cancer are :

- Bile duct stones:
Despite being much smaller, they resemble gallstones. - Choledochal cysts:
Some persons have an uncommon birth defect that results in bile-filled sacs along their bile ducts.If left untreated, they could develop into bile duct cancer due to chronic irritation. - Liver fluke infection:
In Asia, this is more typical than in the United States. It occurs when individuals consume raw or improperly prepared fish that is infested with microscopic parasite worms known as liver flukes.Cancer can be brought on by their living in your bile ducts. - Reflux:
The bile ducts cannot empty completely if pancreatic digestion juices flood back into them. - Cirrhosis:
The chance of bile duct cancer is increased by liver damage or scar tissue brought on by alcohol and hepatitis.
Additional factors that may increase your risk of developing bile duct cancer include:
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Viral hepatitis
- Being a heavy drinker
It is also important to know, What are the symptoms of Bile Duct Cancer?
How to prevent bile duct cancer?
The majority of bile duct tumours are incurable. Some factors like age, gender, ethnicity and bile duct irregularities are just a few of the well-known risk factors of bile duct cancer that are out of our control. However, there are certain things you may do to perhaps reduce your risk.
One significant way a person can lower their risk of developing bile duct cancer, as well as numerous other kinds of cancers, is by achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.
The American Cancer Society advises people to strive to maintain a healthy weight, engage in regular physical activity, and adopt a healthy eating regimen that includes lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and that restricts or stays away from red and processed meat products, sugary beverages, and highly processed foods.
Also stopping smoking and consumption of alcohol can lead to a healthy liver life, and digestive system, which might prevent the risks of bile duct cancer.
Types of bile duct cancer
Bile duct carcinoma can be of two different types,
- Intrahepatic bile duct cancer:
This cancer develops in the bile ducts present inside the liver. Intrahepatic bile duct tumours are quite uncommon.The term intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas are the alternative name for bile duct cancers within the liver. - Extrahepatic bile duct cancer:
Outside of the liver, this kind of cancer develops in the bile ducts that are outside the liver (i.e. right/ left hepatic ducts, cystic duct, common hepatic duct and common bile duct).Perihilar bile duct cancer and distal bile duct cancer are the two kinds of extrahepatic bile duct cancer.
- Perihilar bile duct cancer :
These cancers develop around the junction of the right and left hepatic ducts. A Klatskin tumour or perihilar cholangiocarcinoma are other names for perihilar bile duct malignancy. According to the position of the tumour. they are classified into different types.
- Distal bile duct cancer :
This cancer type develops in the terminal part of the common bile duct that travels through the pancreas and opens into the duodenum.
Also know more about Why is Liver Cancer so deadly?
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About Author
Dr. Praveen Kammar
Surgical Oncologist
12+
Years Of Experience
Dr. Praveen Kammar is a Best Surgical Oncologist in Mumbai. His main area of expertise aslso includes GI oncology, Gynecological cancers, minimal access surgeries, Robotics surgery, Laparoscopic Surgery, HIPEC.
Dr. Praveen has done more than 6000+ surgeries in his expertise.
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