This information has been reviewed by:
Melisa Darby, cancer nurse, RN,BN, Grad. Cert. Cancer Nursing
Bile duct cancer is also known as cholangiocarcinoma.
The bile duct is the tube which takes bile from the liver and passes to the small bowel. Bile is needed for digesting fats.
This is cancer that begins in the bile duct. Cancer may occur in one of three different parts of the bile duct. The symptoms will depend on where it forms in the bile duct.
Bile duct cancer is a rare form of cancer.
It is not known what causes most bile duct cancers. People with abnormalities in the bile ducts are more likely to get this cancer. People with a bowel disease called ulcerative colitis are also at higher risk.
Jaundice is a sign of bile duct cancer. This is when the skin and whites of the eyes become yellow. The urine may also become dark yellow and the bowel motions become light coloured. People with bile duct cancer can feel extremely itchy. Stomach upsets, loss of appetite and high temeperatures and weight loss are also symptoms.
If you have one of these symptoms, but have not been diagnosed with this cancer, remember that this cancer is rare, and your symptom is likely to be due to something else. However, see your doctor if you have any symptom that persists for more than two weeks.
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