Cholangiocarcinoma
Bile duct cancer also known as Cholangiocarcinoma and is a rare cancer disease in which cancer cells are formed in the bile duct.
Bile Duct is 4-5 in. long network of tube that connects gall bladder and liver and those bile ducts arise from various ductules from liver and supplies bile to small intestine via hepatic duct and common duct. Bile plays a very important role in breaking down fats during the digestion process. The pH levels of Bile are alkaline ranging between 7 to 8.6.
Types of Bile duct Cancer,
Based on the location of the cancer, it is categorized into:
- Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: When the cancer cells are formed inside the liver
- Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: When the cancer cells are formed outside the liver
- Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: When the cancer cells are in the hilum region. Hilum is a region where the ductules from liver merge to form a larger duct called the common hepatic duct.
Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer)
Symptoms of Cholangiocarcinoma includes:
- Fever
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Jaundice
- Dark colored Urine
- Itchy Skin
- Abdomen Pain
- Loss of Apetite
- Weightloss
Causes:
The specific causes of Cholangiocarcinoma are not identified yet but researchers are investigating various factors linking with it. Some of them includes:
- Inflammation in Gall Bladder or Bile Duct
- Chronic ulcerative colitis
- Cysts in Bile Duct
- Parasitic infection with a Chinese liver fluke parasite
Diagnostic Tests:
- Physical examination
- Blood and Urine Test
- Liver function Tests
- Imaging Techniques (X-ray, MRI, CT, PET scan)
- Laparoscopy
- Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
Treatment options:
- Liver Transplant
- Surgery (Removal of the bile duct, Biliary bypass or Partial hepatectomy)
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation Therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Drugs (Futibatinib)
