Bile Duct Cancer | Surgical Associates

Bile Duct Illustratiion

By Dr. Lee Ser Yee

Bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma) is a rare cancer that begins in the bile ducts. These are thin tubes that carry bile, a brownish digestive fluid, between the liver, gallbladder and small intestine.

Signs and symptoms

Bile duct cancer may not cause symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage. Some people may notice symptoms earlier such as -

Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
Itchy skin
Tea-coloured urine and Pale stools
Abdominal discomfort, pain or bloatedness
Loss of appetite and weight or fatigue

Types of bile duct cancer

These cancers can occur in the main bile duct within the liver (intrahepatic) or outside the liver (extrahepatic)

Risk factors

Long-standing inflammation of the bile ducts e.g. liver parasite infections
Chronic liver disease (Liver cirrhosis, Hepatitis B & C)
Inflammatory conditions e.g. Primary sclerosing cholangitis, ulcerative colitis
Bile duct cyst (Choledochal cyst)
Drugs or toxins exposure
Age ≥ 50; Obesity; Diabetes

Evaluation

A full medical history and clinical evaluation
Blood Tests - Liver function tests and tumour markers
Imaging – CT, MRI or PET scans - for assessment and staging
Endoscopy (+/- ultrasound) or Cholangiography- for further evaluations and biopsy
Combination of the above

Treatment

Surgery is the preferred treatment for bile duct cancer that has not spread. This may involve removing the bile duct, portion of the liver and surrounding lymph nodes and involved organs.

Depending on the location and extent of the cancer, the following surgeries may be recommended.

Liver Resection
Bile duct resection & lymph node clearance
Whipple surgery
Liver transplant

Other treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy, in addition to surgery or for people when surgery is not appropriate.

Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre
#08-07, 3 Mount Elizabeth, Singapore 228510
Tel: 6454 0054 | Fax: 6764 0054 | Email: ask@surgicalassociates.sg

Gleneagles Medical Centre
#05-01, 6 Napier Road, Singapore 258499
Tel: 6471 0054 | Fax: 6271 0054

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