Patient Care | Conditions

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About Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer)

Cholangiocarcinoma is the medical term sometimes used for bile duct cancer.

Cancers can develop in any part of the bile duct and, based on their location, are divided into 3 groups. About two thirds of bile duct cancers develop at the part of the hepatic duct where the bile ducts have joined and are just leaving the liver. Cancers that develop here are called perihilar cancers, or sometimes Klatskin tumors. About one fourth of bile duct cancers are found in the common bile duct nearest the intestine. These are called distal bile duct cancers. About 5% to 10% of the cancers develop in the smaller bile duct branches inside the liver and are called intrahepatic (inside the liver) bile duct cancers. Cancers beginning in these 3 different areas may cause different symptoms. More than 95% of bile duct cancers are of the adenocarcinoma type.

   Symptoms

In most cases there are no signs of bile duct cancer until it reaches the later stages, when symptoms can include:

• Jaundice
• clay coloured stools (faeces)
• dark coloured urine

It is important however to remember the symptoms above can be caused by many different conditions, and aren’t usually the result of cancer.

   What causes Cholangiocarcinoma?

The exact cause of bile duct cancer is unknown.

 

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