bile duct cancer; extrahepatic biliary carcinoma

Etiology

(risk factors)

• primary sclerosing cholangitis
• chronic ulcerative colitis
• choledochal cysts
• infections with the fluke, Clonorchis sinensis

Pathology

• many bile duct cancers are multifocal
• perineural invasion has a negative impact on survival

Clinical manifestations

• jaundice
• abdominal pain
• fever
• pruritus

Management

• surgical resection
  • in most patients, the tumor cannot be completely removed by surgery & is incurable
  • palliative resections
• other palliative measures may maintain adequate biliary drainage & improve survival
  • radiation therapy
    • brachytherapy
    • external-beam radiation therapy
  • stenting procedures

More general terms

• biliary carcinoma

Additional terms

• bile duct
• cholangiocarcinoma
• gallbladder cancer

Patient information

bile duct cancer patient information