Bile Duct Cancer Information
Diagnosis
If there are symptoms of bile duct cancer, a doctor will perform an examination and order tests to see if bile duct cancer is present. A patient may have an ultrasound, a test that uses sound waves to find tumors. A patient may also have a CT (computed tomographic) scan, which is a special type of x-ray that uses a computer to make a picture of the inside of the abdomen. Another special scan called magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which uses magnetic waves to make a picture of the inside of the abdomen, may be done as well to help properly diagnose bile duct cancer.
A doctor may perform a test called an ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography). During this test, a flexible tube is put down the throat, through the stomach, and into the small intestine. The doctor can see through the tube and inject dye into the drainage tube (duct) of the pancreas so that the area can be seen more clearly on an x-ray.
PTC (percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography) is another test that can help find cancer of the extrahepatic bile duct. During this test, a thin needle is put into the liver through the right side of the patient. Dye is injected through the needle into the bile duct in the liver so that blockages can be seen on x-rays.
If tissue that is not normal is found, the doctor may remove a small amount of fluid or tissue from the bile duct and look at it under the microscope to see if there are any cancer cells. This procedure is called a biopsy and is usually done during the PTC or ERCP.
Because it is sometimes hard to tell whether a patient has cancer or another disease, surgery may be needed to see if there is cancer of the bile duct. If this is the case, the doctor will cut into the abdomen and look at the bile duct and the tissues around it for cancer. If there is cancer and if it looks like it has not spread to other tissues, the doctor may remove the cancer or relieve blockages caused by the tumor.
The chance of recovery (prognosis) and choice of treatment depends on the location of the cancer in the bile duct, the stage of the cancer (whether it is only in the bile duct or has spread to other places), and the patient’s general health.
To learn more about bile duct cancer, possible symptoms, the treatment options available and much more, please take the time to browse through our site.
