Bile Duct Cancer

Bile duct cancer, also known as cholangiocarcinoma, is a rare and severe type of cancer that affects the bile ducts. In most cases, bile duct cancer arises in those parts of the bile ducts that lie outside the liver.

Rarely cancer can develop in ducts that are within the liver. In this blog, you’ll learn everything from bile duct cancer and its causes to symptoms and treatment options. We’ll also explore some of the common side effects associated with treatment and offer some tips on managing them.

Bile duct cancer, also known as cholangiocarcinoma, is a rare and aggressive cancer that arises from the cells lining the bile ducts. The bile ducts are a series of tubes that transport bile (a yellowish-green fluid produced by the liver) from the liver to the small intestine.

Bile duct cancer can occur anywhere along the bile duct system but most commonly arises in the section known as the distal common bile duct (CBD).

While bile duct cancer is relatively rare, accounting for just 2% of all primary liver cancers, it is one of the most deadly.

The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be approximately 3,200 new cases of bile duct cancer in the United States in 2020, with an estimated 2,560 deaths.

The exact cause of bile duct cancer is unknown. However, several risk factors have been associated with the development of this disease, including:

• Age: Bile duct cancer is more common in older adults, with most cases occurring in people over the age of 65.
• Gender: Women are slightly more likely to develop bile duct cancer than men.
• Race: Caucasians are at a slightly higher risk for developing bile duct cancer than people of other racial groups – Family history: People with a family history of bile duct cancer are at an increased risk for developing the disease.
• Chronic inflammation of the bile ducts: Conditions like primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and secondary sclerosing cholangitis (SSC), which cause chronic inflammation of the bile ducts, are associated with an increased risk of developing bile duct cancer.
• Hepatitis B or C infection: People who have chronic hepatitis B or C infections are more likely to develop bile duct cancer.

Bile duct cancer often does not cause any symptoms in its early stages. As the tumor grows, it can block the bile ducts and cause a build-up of bilirubin in the blood, resulting in jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). Other common symptoms include:

• Itching
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Dark urine
• Light stools

If cancer has spread to other parts of the body, you may also experience symptoms like back pain, bone pain, shortness of breath, or neurological problems.

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, it is important to see your doctor for a complete evaluation. Your doctor will likely order a combination of tests, including

• Blood tests: To check for elevated levels of bilirubin or liver enzymes.
• Imaging tests: A CT or MRI scan can help assess the size and location of the tumor.
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): Here, a long, flexible tube is inserted through the mouth and into the bile ducts to allow your doctor to take pictures and obtain tissue samples.
• Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC): A procedure in which a needle is inserted through the skin into the liver to allow your doctor to take pictures and obtain tissue samples.
• Biopsy: A procedure in which a small sample of tissue is removed for examination under a microscope.

Once bile duct cancer is diagnosed, your doctor will stage cancer to determine the best course of treatment.

Staging is a way of describing how far cancer has progressed. There are two central staging systems for bile duct cancer: The TNM system and the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) system.

The TNM system stages bile duct cancer based on three factors :

• A tumor (T): Refers to the size and location of the primary tumor.
• Node (N): Refers to whether or not cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.
• Metastasis (M): Refers to whether or not cancer has spread to other parts of the body

The BCLC staging system is used to guide treatment and predict prognosis. It stages bile duct cancer based on five factors:

• Size and location of the tumor.
• Whether or not cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
• The presence of symptoms.
• The level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in the blood.
• The level of bilirubin in the blood.
• Once the cancer is staged, your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan.

Bile duct cancer is a rare and aggressive type of cancer. If you are diagnosed with bile duct cancer, you must get medical care from a team of experienced specialists in treating this disease.

Treatment for bile duct cancer often includes surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and palliative care. The right type of treatment for you will depend on the stage of your cancer and your overall health.

Surgery:

Surgery is the most common treatment for bile duct cancer. The type of surgery performed will depend on the stage of cancer. For early-stage cancers, surgery to remove the tumor may be all that is needed. More advanced cancers may require a more extensive operation, such as a liver transplant or removal of part of the liver (hepatectomy)

Radiation therapy:

Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. It can be used alone or combined with other treatments, such as surgery or chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy:

Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be given intravenously (through an IV) or orally (in pill form). It is often combined with other treatments, such as surgery or radiation therapy.

Targeted therapy:

Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that targets specific molecules within cancer cells. These drugs work by interfering with the ability of cancer cells to grow and spread. Targeted therapy is often combined with other treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.

Palliative care is a type of care that focuses on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life. It is often used in conjunction with other treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.

The side effects of bile duct cancer treatment vary depending on your treatment type. Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy can cause side effects.

• Side effects of surgery may include pain, infection, bleeding, and scar tissue formation. Surgery may also cause damage to nearby organs or tissues.
• Radiation therapy may cause fatigue, skin irritation, and nausea. It can also cause long-term side effects, such as infertility, heart disease, and lung damage.
• Chemotherapy may cause side effects such as hair loss, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. It can also cause long-term side effects such as infertility and an increased risk of infection.
• Targeted therapy may cause side effects such as fatigue, skin rash, and diarrhea. It can also cause long-term side effects, such as liver damage and an increased risk of infection.
• Palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life. It can help manage side effects from other treatments, such as pain, fatigue, nausea, and anxiety.

It is an important part of care. The side effects of treatment can be different for everyone. Some people have few or no side effects, while others may experience more severe side effects.

There are many ways to manage side effects, and your care team can help you find the method that works best for you.

If you have bile duct cancer, it is important to stay positive and focus on your goals for treatment. Remember that many people have been diagnosed with this disease and have gone on to live long and healthy lives. With the right treatment and support, you can too.

At SSOHospital, we understand the impact that a diagnosis of bile duct cancer can have on patients and their loved ones. That’s why our team of experienced oncologists and surgeons offers advanced treatment options tailored to each individual’s needs. We’re here to provide compassionate care and support throughout your treatment journey.