Risk Factors Of Bile Duct Cancer!
The bile duct is a thin tube which collects bile from the liver, stores it in the gall bladder and carries it to the intestine. Cancer of the bile duct is also known as cholangiocarcinoma. It can either involve the upper part or lower part of the bile duct and is called intrahepatic, hilar or distal cholangiocarcinoma.
Anything causing inflammation in the bile duct increases the risk of this cancer. Examples include
- smoking.
- choledochal cyst.
- infection with liver flukes.
- recurrent pyogenic cholangitis.
- primary sclerosing cholangitis.
- ulcerative colitis.
- chemical carcinogens.
Irrespective of site, these tumours block the flow of bile and may cause following signs and symptoms
- Jaundice (yellowing of eyes, urine and skin).
- Weight loss.
- Itching.
- Pain abdomen.
- Recurrent fever.
Liver function test, ca 19-9, and high-quality triphasic ct scan are some of the investigations required to diagnose and stage the disease. If diagnosed early, it can be cured by surgery. Type of surgery depends upon the location of the tumour and could be liver resection or pancreaticoduodenectomy.
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