41,630 is the number of bile duct cancer cases reported in 2024, with an estimated 29,840 deaths bile duct cancer is responsible for 4.9% of all cancer deaths in 2024. These scary numbers indicate a lack of awareness and knowledge about bile duct cancer.

This blog will give you a comprehensive overview of bile duct cancer. We will discuss the definition of bile duct cancer, its different types, symptoms, etc. Additionally, we’ll provide you with different treatment options and the best hospitals available.

What is Bile Duct Cancer?

Bile duct cancer also named as cholangiocarcinoma is a rare and aggressive type of cancer that develops in your bile duct. It occurs due to the uncontrolled growth of abnormal epithelial cells present in your bile ducts, which leads to tumor formation.

Bile ducts are a vast network of thin tubes that travel throughout your liver and connect the liver to the small intestine. The main function of the bile duct is to provide the path for the bile an enzyme that aids in digestion from the liver to the small intestine. Bile ducts are crucial for the proper functioning of the body.

Different Types of Bile Duct Cancer

Cholangiocarcinoma can occur in various parts of the bile duct, depending on the site of development they can possess different symptoms and complications. Researchers have classified bile duct cancer into three types on the basis of their origin.

• Intrahepatic Bile Duct Cancer: Intrahepatic bile duct cancer develops in the smaller branched bile ducts present inside your liver. Accounting for only 10% of all cases.
• Perihilar or Hilar bile duct cancer: Hilar bile duct cancer emerges near the liver in the hilum region of your body. Hilum is the region at the exit of your liver, it is a point where the smaller bile duct originating from your liver merges with the larger ducts and forms the common hepatic duct. Perihialr is the most common form of bile duct cancer.
• Distal Bile Duct Cancer: Distal bile duct cancer also known as Extrahepatic bile duct cancer, develops near your small intestine in the common hepatic duct.

Warning Signs and Symptoms of Bile Duct Cancer

Cholangiocarcinoma does not show any major symptoms till the advanced stage, making it more fatal. However, there are some early warning signs that you should consider and will help in early intervention.

• Abdominal Pain: Big tumors in bile can cause persistent pain in your lower abdominal region.
• Jaundice: Jaundice is one of the most obvious symptoms of Bile duct cancer.
• Loss of appetite: Certain people with bile cholangiocarcinoma may feel less hungry and have unexplained weight loss.
• Dark Urine: Bile duct cancer leads to increased levels of bilirubin chemicals in your blood, which can eventually make your urine become dark.
• Itching: Increased amount of bilirubin throughout the body can cause itching.
• Fever: Some cholangiocarcinoma patients noted the symptoms of having a high fever.
• Pale Stools: Bile cancer will make it hard to digest fatty food for your body, resulting in pale and bad-smelling stools.

Diagnostic Procedures

Different diagnostic tools are used by health professionals to diagnose bile duct cancer. Knowing these different tools will increase the chances of early detection and a successful treatment outcome.

• Blood and Liver Function Test: Complete blood analysis can help in the detection of bile duct cancer. Increased amounts of certain substances in the liver like bilirubin, AST, ALT, and GGT may indicate the presence of cholangiocarcinoma.
• Imaging Tools: Doctors use advanced imaging tools like CT-scan, MRI, ultrasound, etc. These tools help doctors get an idea about the size of the tumor inside your ducts.
• Biopsy: Biopsy involves the analysis of the removed tissue from your liver or suspected region to confirm the presence and stage of the cancer.

Risk Factors For Developing Cholangiocarcinoma

• Chronic inflammation in the bile duct.
• Bile Duct Stones.
• People suffering from Hepatitis A or hepatitis C.
• Diabetes.
• Older Age (above 50)
• Obesity.
• Alcohol abuse.

These are various risk factor that significantly increases the chances of a person developing bile duct cancer. Consulting with a health expert regarding the risk factors raises the chances of having a positive outcome.

Different Treatment Options For Bile Duct Cancer

Diagnosing with cholangiocarcinoma can make a person anxious. However having information about the different treatment options and their cost, purpose, and success rates

• Surgery: If the tumor is in a treatable area and the cancer hasn’t spread further to other body parts, then surgery is the best option to consider. Partial hepatectomy is a surgery that involves removing the affected bile duct region from the liver. The cost of the surgery varies from country to country if we talk about India which is a leading medical tourism destination cost of the surgery starts from $6500.
• Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy represents the use of heat and certain high-energy rays to kill cancerous cells. It can be used individually to treat cholangiocarcinoma. Additionally, it is used post-surgery to kill the remaining cancer cells. The average cost of radiation therapy in India generally lies between $6000 – $9000.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a well-known treatment method in oncology that involves the use of certain drugs and chemicals to limit the growth of cancerous cells. The cost of chemotherapy in India is between $ 55 – $ 800 per cycle.
• Liver Transplant: Medical professionals typically consider a liver transplant in severe cases. The average cost of a liver transplant in India typically starts from around $23000.

Best Hospitals for Bile Duct Cancer Treatment in India

• Fortis Hospital, Bangalore
• MGM Healthcare, Chennai
• Batra Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Delhi
• BLK Super Specialty Hospital, Delhi
• Max Super Specialty Hospital, Delhi
• Medanta the Medicity, Gurgaon
• Care Institute of Medical Sciences, Ahmedabad
• Gleneagles Global Hospital, Hyderabad
• Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai

How GoMedii Technologies Can Help You?

GoMedii Technologies is an integrated health-tech platform involved in the facilitation of medical tourism and patient care. We help patients access treatment with top-ranked hospitals and surgeons in India at affordable rates for Bile Duct Cancer Treatment

Choose GoMedii as your treatment partner to get the best treatment at an affordable cost, and through a hustle-free process. You can simply Drop a query to experience revolutionized treatment services via Whatsapp (+91 9311101477) or email us at connect@gomedii.com our team will contact you as soon as possible. To make things easier for you, just download our app from your Google Play or app store!

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