About Cancer
Bile duct cancer is also called cholangiocarcinoma. It is a rare type of cancer that starts in the bile ducts.
The bile ducts are small tubes that connect the liver and gallbladder to the small bowel. They carry a fluid called bile. This helps to break down fat from the food we eat making it easier to digest.
There are different types of bile duct cancer depending on where in the bile ducts it starts. Bile duct cancer that starts in the bile ducts in the liver (intrahepatic bile duct cancer) is a type of liver cancer.
Bile duct cancer is when abnormal cells in the bile ducts divide in an uncontrolled way. It is also called cholangiocarcinoma.
Bile duct cancer symptoms may include yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), itchy skin, dark urine and pale poo, high temperature and pain in your tummy (abdomen). Find out more.
If you have symptoms of bile duct cancer you should see your GP. They might ask you to have some tests and will refer you to a specialist.
Survival for bile duct cancer depends on many factors including whether the cancer is in the bile ducts in the liver or outside of the liver.
Treatments for bile duct cancers include surgery, chemotherapy and treatments to control symptoms. The treatments you have depend on the stage of the cancer.
There are 3 main types of bile duct cancer. Intrahepatic bile duct cancer starts in the liver. Perihilar and distal bile duct cancers start in the bile ducts outside the liver.
The stage and grade of bile duct cancer help your doctor decide your treatment. They might use the number or TNM system, and the Bismuth-Corlette classification.
Advanced bile duct cancer has spread outside the bile ducts into nearby lymph nodes or organs. Or it has spread to parts of the body further away from the bile ducts.
Researchers in the UK are currently looking for new ways to prevent and diagnose bile duct cancer. They are also looking at new treatments.
You may need help and support to cope when you have bile duct cancer. There are people, resources and organisations who can help you and your family.
Factors that increase the risk of developing bile duct cancer include getting older and conditions that cause long term inflammation of the bile ducts.
Last reviewed: 14 Oct 2024
Next review due: 14 Oct 2027
This section has been written, reviewed and updated by Cancer Research UK’s Patient Information Web Team. Thank you to the expert medical professionals and people affected by cancer who have helped to review this information.
Professor John Bridgewater (Consultant Oncologist)
Professor Brian Davidson (Consultant Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgeon)
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