Bile duct cancer is also known as cholangiocarcinoma. Bile ducts are small tubes that connect the liver and small intestine. They allow fluid called bile to flow from the liver, through the pancreas, to the gut, where it helps with digestion.
Treatment of bile duct cancer
Treatment will vary according to the location and size of the tumour and the state of your overall health.
Mostly surgery is recommended as it can offer cure especially if your cancer has been caught early and hasn’t spread beyond your liver or bile ducts. If a tumour is still confined to the bile ducts, you may need to have the bile ducts removed. If the cancer has spread into your liver, a part of your liver or at times the entire liver needs to be removed. If the cancer has spread to nearby organs, your surgeon may need to remove the gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas and sections of your stomach and gut.
If the cancer has gone beyond curable your surgeon will treat the bile ducts to relieve some symptoms. The surgeon either inserts a tube to hold the duct open or creates a bypass. A blocked section of the gut can also be treated surgically.
You might need to receive chemotherapy or radiation treatments following your surgery.
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