Bile duct cancer
cholangiocarcinoma
Bile duct cancer is rare but aggressive, accounting for 10-15% of all primary liver cancers
What is bile duct cancer?
Need to know
-
What are the symptoms of bile duct cancer? icon plus
Usually, the signs of bile duct cancer won't show until its later stages, when the cancer grows large enough to cause a blockage. These symptoms might include:
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- pale-coloured faeces
- darker urine
- itchy skin
- feeling tired and unwell
- abdominal pain and swelling
- fever, chills and shivering
These symptoms might be a sign of other conditions, so it's important to see a consultant who can diagnose your symptoms.
-
How is bile duct cancer diagnosed? icon plus
Your HCA UK GP or consultant oncologist will discuss your symptoms with you. They may also recommend certain diagnostic tests.
- Various blood tests to rule out other conditions.
- An abdominal ultrasound, which uses sound waves to create images of your bile ducts, pancreas and liver from the outside.
- An endoscopic ultrasound scan, which uses sound waves to create images of your bile ducts, pancreas and liver from the inside.
- A detailed X-ray, where a special dye will be inserted into your bile duct to make them show up more clearly.
- A biopsy, which involves removing a small sample of bile duct tissue and testing it for signs of cancer.
-
Potential treatment options icon plus
Your treatment options will depend on the position, stage and size of the bile duct cancer. Another important factor is if the cancer has spread beyond the bile duct. In some cases, the aim of treatment is to relieve your symptoms rather than provide a cure.
- surgery to remove the affected area (only in certain cases and if the cancer hasn't spread)
- removing the cancerous bile ducts (normally for early-stage cancers)
- Whipple's procedure (surgery to remove the bile ducts and parts of surrounding organs; for larger cancers)
- surgery to remove the bile duct blockage (if the cancer is too big to remove)
- chemotherapy (to kill remaining cancer cells)
Our liver consultants
Our locations
From complex liver surgery to diagnostic tests and procedures, we provide exceptional oncology and hepatobiliary care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
-
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street
London
SE1 2PR
-
The Wellington Liver & HPB Unit
The Wellington Liver & HPB Unit
North Building, Circus Road, St John's Wood
London NW8 6DP
-
The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place
St John's Wood
London NW8 9LE
-
The Christie Private Care
Wilmslow Road
Manchester M20 4BX
-
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place
London W1U 5NY
-
London Digestive Centre
41 Welbeck Street
London
W1G 8DU
-
London Liver Centre
4th Floor, Emblem House
27 Tooley Street
London SE1 2PR
-
The HPB Unit
The Princess Grace Hospital
42–52 Nottingham Place
London W1U 5NY
-
HCA UK at The Shard
The Shard
32 St Thomas Street
London SE1 9BS
Book an appointment
Our team can help with any enquiries or you can make an appointment with one of our experienced consultants.
Call us today
020 7079 4344