Cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma is a type of cancer that forms in bile ducts, the slender tubes that carry the digestive fluid bile. Bile ducts connect the liver to the gallbladder and to the small intestine. Cholangiocarcinoma, also known as bile duct cancer, occurs mostly in people older than age 50, though it can occur at any age.
Bile duct cancer is often treatable. But it can be difficult to treat.
Symptoms

Yellow eyes or skin

or Itchy skin

  • At palms, At soles

  • At scalp, At chest, At lower extremity, At genital, At neck, Buttocks, At face, At back, At nose, Between the toes, At upper extremity, Around the anus, At feet, At abdomen, At breast(s)

  • Occurs or worsens at night

or Dark urine

or Poop with light color

common

Weight loss

common

Abdominal pain

  • In the upper right region, Chronic or persistent pain, Located in middle upper region

common

Fever

  • Less than 38°C (100.4°F), Greater than or equal to 38°C (100.4°F)

Fatigue

or Excessive sweating

  • Occurs or worsens at night

or Poor appetite

Abdominal mass

  • Painless, Right upper quadrant

Risk factors

Liver worms

Gallstones

History of primary sclerosing cholangitis

Inflammation of the colon

Liver cirrhosis

or Viral infection causing liver inflammation and damage

Smoking

Cystic fibrosis

Overweight or obese

Alcohol consumption

Treatment
Cholangiocarcinoma is typically incurable at diagnosis which is why early detection is ideal. In these cases, palliative treatments may include surgical resection, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and stenting procedures.
Recommended specialist

If you have Cholangiocarcinoma, then a visit to a gastroenterologist is highly recommended.

Contact a

Gastroenterologist

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