Bile duct cancer, or cholangiocarcinoma, is a rare tumor that develops in the bile duct cells.

Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

If you are diagnosed with bile duct cancer, you are in excellent hands at the MPLC. We collaborate closely with the University of Minnesota Cancer Center which is one of only 39 comprehensive cancer centers in the U. S. designated by the National Cancer Institute.

Symptoms
Symptoms of bile duct cancer include:

• Abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• Itching
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

Diagnosing bile duct cancer
We will ask about your medical history and symptoms. You will have a physical exam, and you may have the following tests:

• Ultrasound
• CT scan
• X-ray with an injected dye for contrast
• Laparoscopy,a surgical procedure to look at the organs inside the abdomen
• Biopsy, the removal of cells or tissues for testing, which may be done during a laparoscopy or with a needle inserted through your skin
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, or ERCP
  This is done using both x-rays and a flexible, lighted tube called an endoscope to see inside the pancreas, liver, gallbladder and bile ducts. A sample of tissue may be removed for tests.  You will receive light sedation for this test.

Treating bile duct cancer
The best treatment for bile duct cancer is to surgically remove the tumor. Other treatment may include radiation to kill the cancer cells or chemotherapy (anticancer drugs) to stop cancer cells from growing and reproducing.