Experiences with
Bile duct cancer

SymptomsCausesDiagnosisMedical treatments

Symptoms of bile duct cancer include jaundice, losing weight, feeling tired, having a high temperature, feeling or being sick, and tummy pain.

Anyone can get bile duct cancer. You may be more likely to get it if you are over 65 or have a medical condition, such as liver cirrhosis.

Bile duct cancer can be diagnosed using tests such as blood tests, different types of scans, or by collecting a sample of cells from the bile ducts.

Treatment for bile duct cancer depends on your situation. It may include surgery, chemotherapy radiotherapy, targeted medicines and immunotherapy.

Where to find help and support

You and your loved ones will be supported throughout your treatment by a group of specialists.

The clinical nurse specialist, or another member of your specialist team will be able to give you information on local support services that you may find helpful.

There are also national cancer charities that offer support and information about bile duct cancer.

AMMF: The Cholangiocarcinoma Charity

Information and support for anyone affected by cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer).

Macmillan Cancer Support

Information and support for anyone affected by cancer.

Cancer Research UK

Information and support for anyone affected by cancer.

Maggie's

Practical, emotional and social support for anyone affected by cancer.

Marie Curie

Care and support for anyone affected by a terminal illness.

Who is more likely to get bile duct cancer

Anyone can get bile duct cancer. It's not always clear what causes it.

You might be more likely to get it if you:

are over the age of 65
have certain medical conditions, such as abnormal bile ducts, long term swelling in the bowel (ulcerative colitis) or bile ducts, a parasite in the liver (liver flukes), bile duct stones and liver cirrhosis

Main symptoms of bile duct cancer

Bile duct cancer may not have any symptoms, or they can be hard to spot.

Symptoms of bile duct cancer can include:

the whites of your eyes turning yellow or your skin turning yellow, which may be less obvious on brown or black skin (jaundice)
itchy skin
darker pee and paler poo than usual
loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
feeling generally unwell
feeling tired or having no energy
a high temperature, or you feel hot or shivery

Other symptoms can affect your tummy, such as:

feeling or being sick
pain in your tummy

your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow
you're being sick for more than 2 days
you have symptoms that you are worried about, but are not sure where to get help

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online .

lost a noticeable amount of weight
symptoms of bile duct cancer that are not getting better

Treatment for bile duct cancer

Bile duct cancer is often treatable. But it can be difficult to treat.

The treatment you have will depend on:

the size and type of bile duct cancer you have
where it is
if it has spread
your general health

It may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted medicines and immunotherapy.

The specialist care team looking after you will:

explain the treatments, benefits and side effects
work with you to create a treatment plan that is best for you
help you manage any side effects, including changes to your diet to help with your digestion

You'll have regular check-ups during and after any treatments. You may also have tests and scans.

If you have any symptoms or side effects that you are worried about, talk to your specialists. You do not need to wait for your next check-up.

Tests for bile duct cancer

You will need more tests and scans to check for bile duct cancer if the GP refers you to a specialist.

These tests can include:

blood tests
scans, like an ultrasound scan (sometimes from inside your body using an endoscope), CT scan, or MRI scan
collecting a small sample of cells from the bile ducts (a biopsy) to be checked for cancer
a test called an endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography (ERCP)
a special kind of X-ray called percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC)

You may not have all these tests.

These tests can also help find problems in other nearby organs, such as your pancreas, gallbladder or liver.

Related links

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32,673 public posts

bile duct cancer

can anyone please tell me what liver enzymes including Ggt are elevated with bile duct cancer?

can anyone please tell me what liver enzymes including Ggt are elevated with bile duct cancer?

in British Liver Trust

11 months ago

Tuesday's Tip

[i]Taking Urso can often cause some stomach issues - bloating or nausea. Being a bile salt, it can cause many people GI issues until your body adjusts to it.[/i] [i]It's not always necessary to take your whole Urso dose right from the beginning. According to Dr. Jones, he often tells people

[i]Taking Urso can often cause some stomach issues - bloating or nausea. Being a bile salt, it can cause many people GI issues until your body adjusts to it.[/i] [i]It's not always necessary to take your whole Urso dose right from the beginning. According to Dr. Jones, he often tells people

Administratorin PBC Foundation

4 days ago

gut pain

We all know of the problems stress can cause for ibs. I have also noticed when ever I do any gardening,moving pots of plants or bending over to weed. Results in spasm pain for 2-3 days.Wonder if others have found the same. Thankfully buscopan helps.

We all know of the problems stress can cause for ibs. I have also noticed when ever I do any gardening,moving pots of plants or bending over to weed. Results in spasm pain for 2-3 days.Wonder if others have found the same. Thankfully buscopan helps.

8 days ago

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Wednesday's Word

[u][i]Bile[/i][/u] Bile is the drainage fluid from the liver. Hepatocytes make it and then is modified by the cells of the bile duct. It has 2 main functions: 1. It helps facilitate the byproducts produced by our liver functioning. 2. It helps transport the bile acids to our bowel, where

[u][i]Bile[/i][/u] Bile is the drainage fluid from the liver. Hepatocytes make it and then is modified by the cells of the bile duct. It has 2 main functions: 1. It helps facilitate the byproducts produced by our liver functioning. 2. It helps transport the bile acids to our bowel, where

Administratorin PBC Foundation

24 days ago

Tuesday's Tip

[u][i]Alkaline phosphatase [/i][/u] It is an enzyme released as a response to injury to the bile ducts - not the liver itself. As more cells are injured, the more alk phos is released. Alk phos is not in itself harmful. Higher levels in the blood does not mean more tissue damage. Even lowering

[u][i]Alkaline phosphatase [/i][/u] It is an enzyme released as a response to injury to the bile ducts - not the liver itself. As more cells are injured, the more alk phos is released. Alk phos is not in itself harmful. Higher levels in the blood does not mean more tissue damage. Even lowering

Administratorin PBC Foundation

1 month ago

Improvement

I am 66 year old female diagnosed in January this year with liver cirrhosis following a fibroscan.... after the initial shock and panic wore off I embarked on the Mediterranean diet with no processed food..I have lost 6 stone ( was overweight) and recent had a liver scan at my 6 month check up which

I am 66 year old female diagnosed in January this year with liver cirrhosis following a fibroscan.... after the initial shock and panic wore off I embarked on the Mediterranean diet with no processed food..I have lost 6 stone ( was overweight) and recent had a liver scan at my 6 month check up which

in British Liver Trust

1 month ago

Levator Ani or something else?

I'm going nuts with a pain in my but. Any slight wind in my stomach sends a horrible sore sensation into my rectum. Relaxing to empty my bladder sets it off too. I do have pelvic floor dysfunction and very tight muscles diagnosed on investigation. I've had it on and off for years but it usually only

I'm going nuts with a pain in my but. Any slight wind in my stomach sends a horrible sore sensation into my rectum. Relaxing to empty my bladder sets it off too. I do have pelvic floor dysfunction and very tight muscles diagnosed on investigation. I've had it on and off for years but it usually only

1 month ago

Update

Well guys as you know I went for my pre op assessment today and I'm shocked and confused and the bp done weight height BMI all OK apart from elevated blood pressure then was asked questions etc then had tummy prodded to be told I'm high risk for surgery no explanation nothing gotta have blood test and

Well guys as you know I went for my pre op assessment today and I'm shocked and confused and the bp done weight height BMI all OK apart from elevated blood pressure then was asked questions etc then had tummy prodded to be told I'm high risk for surgery no explanation nothing gotta have blood test and

in Lung Conditions Community Forum

1 month ago

Tuesday's Tip

Most of us have had a + AMA blood test somewhere along the way to a diagnosis. Some of us find that our AMA test results have elevated and should we be concerned. In short, no, says Dr. Jones. He feels a + (positive) AMA does not necessarily play any part in actually causing the disease.

Most of us have had a + AMA blood test somewhere along the way to a diagnosis. Some of us find that our AMA test results have elevated and should we be concerned. In short, no, says Dr. Jones. He feels a + (positive) AMA does not necessarily play any part in actually causing the disease.

Administratorin PBC Foundation

2 months ago

Bilirubin 500s

Told no treatment, no Liver transplant, blocked bile ducts not resolved after two ERCPs. Left Right intrahepatic ducts. Left to palliative care, no surgery or bypass offered does this sound right to anyone ? Does anyone know of an ERCP specialist? Were South East England

Told no treatment, no Liver transplant, blocked bile ducts not resolved after two ERCPs. Left Right intrahepatic ducts. Left to palliative care, no surgery or bypass offered does this sound right to anyone ? Does anyone know of an ERCP specialist? Were South East England

in British Liver Trust

2 months ago

New to PBC and Urso

Hi, I've recently been diagnosed with PBC, seems not a definitive diagnosis but consultant wanted me to start urso as he thinks it probably is this as ALP and GGT high although biopsy not very specific result and AMA negative.I started urso last week, a bit reluctantly as diagnosis seems a bit unclear

Hi, I've recently been diagnosed with PBC, seems not a definitive diagnosis but consultant wanted me to start urso as he thinks it probably is this as ALP and GGT high although biopsy not very specific result and AMA negative.I started urso last week, a bit reluctantly as diagnosis seems a bit unclear

in PBC Foundation

2 months ago

Urso for PBC

Hi everyone I'm fairly new to this group and I've posted a couple of times but have never received any replies so not sure if anyone can see my posts? I posted the following yesterday (since deleted the post as reposting now): I started on Urso 2 months ago for suspected PBC. While liver biopsy didn't

Hi everyone I'm fairly new to this group and I've posted a couple of times but have never received any replies so not sure if anyone can see my posts? I posted the following yesterday (since deleted the post as reposting now): I started on Urso 2 months ago for suspected PBC. While liver biopsy didn't

Supersunshine2024

in PBC Foundation

2 months ago

Wednesday's Word

[u][i]MRCP [/i][/u]- This is a type of body scan that examines the bile ducts in great detail, using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It looks for any blockage in the bile ducts or the presence of any gallstones. Previously the ERCP was used to achieve this examination. It required, however

[u][i]MRCP [/i][/u]- This is a type of body scan that examines the bile ducts in great detail, using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It looks for any blockage in the bile ducts or the presence of any gallstones. Previously the ERCP was used to achieve this examination. It required, however

Administratorin PBC Foundation

2 months ago

TROUBLE SLEEPING

I was diagnosed with PMR in July 2024 and am taking 12.5 mg prednisone as well as Kevzara. I have always been a poor sleeper but the steroids have made it even harder. The typical solutions such as Unisom, Tylenol PM, Melatonin etc just amp me up more. I occasionally take an Ambien just to sleep a

I was diagnosed with PMR in July 2024 and am taking 12.5 mg prednisone as well as Kevzara. I have always been a poor sleeper but the steroids have made it even harder. The typical solutions such as Unisom, Tylenol PM, Melatonin etc just amp me up more. I occasionally take an Ambien just to sleep a

2 months ago

Wednesday's Word

[u][i]Alkaline Transaminase (ALT)[/i][/u] This is a blood test that is part of our liver panel. It is released predominantly by injured hepatocytes (cells of the liver), making it usually more prone to be seen in hepatitis. PBC is primarily a disease of the bile duct cells (biliary

[u][i]Alkaline Transaminase (ALT)[/i][/u] This is a blood test that is part of our liver panel. It is released predominantly by injured hepatocytes (cells of the liver), making it usually more prone to be seen in hepatitis. PBC is primarily a disease of the bile duct cells (biliary

Administratorin PBC Foundation

3 months ago

Fibroscan 6.7 kpa / Biopsy Stage 4 Cirrhosis?!?

Hi everybody - so I am completely at a loss to understand how my Fibroscan could be completely normal (100 CAP/6.7 kpa, repeated 3x with the same results) when the biopsy reading from my hepatologist came back from the lab as being Stage 4 Cirrhosis. The doctor himself is also unsure what to make of

Hi everybody - so I am completely at a loss to understand how my Fibroscan could be completely normal (100 CAP/6.7 kpa, repeated 3x with the same results) when the biopsy reading from my hepatologist came back from the lab as being Stage 4 Cirrhosis. The doctor himself is also unsure what to make of

in British Liver Trust

3 months ago

Should something be done with a “moderately high” ALP?

Good moring! I had my bloods drawn last week and both ALT and AST went back to normal. My GGT came down but not normal, and ALP stayed the same as three months ago at 177 It was previously 385. (here, the ULN is 122). I have been on Urso for nine months, but only on the optimal dose for four months

Good moring! I had my bloods drawn last week and both ALT and AST went back to normal. My GGT came down but not normal, and ALP stayed the same as three months ago at 177 It was previously 385. (here, the ULN is 122). I have been on Urso for nine months, but only on the optimal dose for four months

in PBC Foundation

3 months ago

Mildly sprained ankle and tapering

Hello, I injured my ankle yesterday during a 3 mile walk where I was in a hurry and apparently walked too fast. It is somewhat painful to walk on but not excruciating. I am icing and elevating the ankle and am wearing compression garments (which I continuously wear except when in the shower due to

Hello, I injured my ankle yesterday during a 3 mile walk where I was in a hurry and apparently walked too fast. It is somewhat painful to walk on but not excruciating. I am icing and elevating the ankle and am wearing compression garments (which I continuously wear except when in the shower due to

3 months ago

Tuesday's Tip

[i]For the most part physicians have given Urso up to a year to decide if you are a responder or not -- has the Urso decreased your numbers significantly in that time period.[/i] [i]According to Dr. Jones (world 's leading expert on PBC) the thinking may soon be that only a 6 month period

[i]For the most part physicians have given Urso up to a year to decide if you are a responder or not -- has the Urso decreased your numbers significantly in that time period.[/i] [i]According to Dr. Jones (world 's leading expert on PBC) the thinking may soon be that only a 6 month period

Administratorin PBC Foundation

3 months ago

Info on Golexanolone

May 23, 2024MenuSECTIONS Golexanolone Phase 2 Trial for PBC Begins With First Patient Randomizations Avatar photoJuliana Campos, PhD | May 23, 2024 Umecrine Cognition has announced the randomization of the first 2 patients into the second part of its ongoing phase 1b/2 clinical study of golexanolone

May 23, 2024MenuSECTIONS Golexanolone Phase 2 Trial for PBC Begins With First Patient Randomizations Avatar photoJuliana Campos, PhD | May 23, 2024 Umecrine Cognition has announced the randomization of the first 2 patients into the second part of its ongoing phase 1b/2 clinical study of golexanolone

Administratorin PBC Foundation

4 months ago