Biliary Cancer
Overview
What is Biliary cancer?
Bile duct cancer is a rare type of cancer that starts in the bile duct. Bile ducts are slender tubes that connect the liver, gallbladder and small intestine. The primary function of the bile duct is to allow the bile juice to flow from the liver to the small intestine, where it aids fat digestion and absorption.
Risk Factors
A risk factor is anything that affects your chance of getting a disease like cancer. Different cancers have different risk factors. Some risk factors, like smoking, can be changed. Others, like a person’s age or family history, can’t be changed.Smoking
- Chronic pancreatitis (long-term inflammation of the pancreas)
- Infection with HIV (the virus that causes AIDS)
- Exposure to asbestos
- Exposure to radon or other radioactive chemicals
- Exposure to dioxin, nitrosamines, or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
Diagnosis
Bile duct cancer is a relatively challenging medical condition to diagnose. If bile duct cancer is suspected, the following tests may be recommended to get a conclusive diagnosis:
a. Blood Tests
b. Imaging Tests or Scans
c. Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
d. Biopsy
Treatment
The treatment plans for bile duct cancers are devised based on multiple factors such as the type of the tumour, stage of the disease, size, age and overall condition of the patient. In stage 1 and stage 2 cases, the tumour may be surgically removed along with some portions of the liver and gallbladder. In advanced-stage cancers, the treatment plan will be made based on how many lymph nodes and organs have been affected. For a few cases, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery are performed to relieve symptoms and help patients have a better quality of life.