Cholangiocarcinoma, often known as bile ducts cancer, is a life-threatening condition. Despite its rarity, understanding its risks and symptoms is crucial for early detection and effective treatment. Early detection is difficult because symptoms usually don’t appear until the later stages. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss cholangiocarcinoma and its associated factors, diagnostics, and treatments.
What is Bile Ducts Cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma)?
Cholangiocarcinoma is a type of cancer that affects the bile ducts, which are small tubes that convey bile from the liver to the small intestine. Cholangiocarcinoma can also affect other organs in the digestive system.
There are two primary subtypes of cholangiocarcinoma, intrahepatic and extrahepatic. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma develops inside the liver, while extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma develops outside of the liver.
There are several factors that can increase the risk of developing cholangiocarcinomas, such as age, gender, exposure to toxins, chronic inflammation of the bile ducts, infection with parasites, and a family history of liver disease.
The exact causes of cholangiocarcinoma are not completely understood; however, there are several factors that can increase the risk of developing the disease. Those who are diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma can considerably enhance their chances of survival if they receive a diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible, despite the difficulties associated with early identification.
Types of Bile Ducts Cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma)
Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma
An Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare form of primary liver tumor that develops within the liver and accounts for just a small portion of all primary liver tumors.
As a result of the absence of early signs, it is frequently misdiagnosed until a later stage, which might make treatment more challenging if cancer has spread beyond the liver.
Depending on the stage of the disease and the location of the tumor, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma may be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy.
These treatment methods are all possible. It is essential for persons who are at risk to have a conversation with their healthcare practitioner about the many screening and monitoring options available to them. This will assist in the early discovery of a condition and maximize treatment possibilities.
Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma
Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, on the other hand, develops outside of the liver and affects the bile ducts that are in the region that is intermediate between the liver and the small intestine.
It is more prevalent than intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and carries a larger risk of spreading to other organs as a result. Pain in the stomach region, jaundice, a decrease in body weight, and itching are all possible symptoms of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
Depending on the stage of the disease and the location of the tumor, extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma may be treated with surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy, just like intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma does.
Gallbladder Cancer
Cholangiocarcinoma, which is another name for gallbladder cancer, is an extremely uncommon form of cancer that can involve both the gallbladder and the bile ducts.
It is quite like cholangiocarcinoma in many ways, including its risk factors and the treatment options that are available for it. In fact, the gallbladder has been linked to the development of cholangiocarcinoma in some individuals.
Because gallbladder cancer, like cholangiocarcinoma, often does not exhibit any symptoms in its early stages, it can be difficult to diagnose; thus, those who are at risk should undergo routine screening and monitoring.
Who is most likely to get cholangiocarcinoma and why?
Cholangiocarcinoma has been discovered to be more prevalent in people over the age of 50, with those between the ages of 60 and 70 having the highest risk.
In addition, men are more likely to be impacted by the disease than women are, with the risk being two times higher for men.
There are some underlying health factors that have been linked to an increased chance of developing cholangiocarcinoma. Such as:
- chronic liver disease
- an infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV)
- cirrhosis
- primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
- chronic ulcerative colitis
- infection with the Chinese liver fluke parasite, known medically as clonorchiasis.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- HIV
Asbestos, radon, and nitrosamines are just some of the chemicals that may play a part in the development of the condition. Other lifestyle factors that may also contribute to the disease, such as:
- smoking
- high alcohol intake
- diabetes
- obesity
Bile Ducts Cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma): how prevalent is it?
Cholangiocarcinoma is a form of cancer that is not very common. In Western countries, it accounts for just 3% of all cases of gastrointestinal cancer.
On the other hand, its prevalence has been growing over the course of the last few decades. In fact, some studies reveal that the prevalence of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma has increased by about a factor of two since the 1990s.
Although the causes for this increase are not completely known, some hypotheses imply that there may be a connection to the rising prevalence of risk factors such as hepatitis C virus infection and obesity.
Cholangiocarcinoma is a relatively uncommon kind of cancer; nonetheless, due to its dismal outlook and limited availability of curative therapies, it continues to be a major problem for the public’s health.
Causes of Bile Ducts Cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma)
There are many potential causes of cholangiocarcinoma, including genetic changes, anomalies in the biliary tract, and long-term inflammation.
An important risk factor for the development of cholangiocarcinoma is chronic inflammation, which can be the result of disorders like primary sclerosing cholangitis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Increased risk of cholangiocarcinoma is also associated with anomalies in the biliary tract, such as cysts and choledochal malformations. Lastly, mutations in some genes, such as KRAS and TP53, have been linked to an increased risk of cholangiocarcinoma.
Symptoms of Cholangiocarcinoma
Cholangiocarcinoma is frequently referred to as a “silent disease,” as its early stages are frequently symptomless. On the other hand, if the tumor expands, it could bring on several symptoms, such as:
- abdominal pain
- nausea
- vomiting
- jaundice.
Additionally, fever, exhaustion, and unexplained weight loss may be symptoms of cholangiocarcinoma in certain patients.
It is essential to keep in mind that these symptoms may be suggestive of a wide variety of different illnesses and that cholangiocarcinoma should be identified by a qualified medical practitioner using imaging and laboratory tests.
How to diagnose cholangiocarcinoma?
The presence of cholangiocarcinoma can be determined using a variety of imaging and laboratory procedures, such as an ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, and blood test.
It is also possible to acquire pictures of the biliary tract using the procedures of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC).
Either an endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) or a surgical procedure can be utilized to collect a tissue biopsy, which may be required for the development of a conclusive diagnosis.
It is essential to discover and diagnose cholangiocarcinoma at an early stage to maximize the efficacy of treatment and the prognosis for patients.
Stages of cholangiocarcinoma
The TNM staging approach is used to stage cholangiocarcinoma. This technique considers the size and extent of the tumor (T), whether cancer has spread to adjacent lymph nodes (N), and whether the disease has metastasized to other areas of the body (M).
It is essential to determine the patient’s prognosis and appropriate treatment options based on the staging of the cholangiocarcinoma.
Early cases of cholangiocarcinoma are often treated with surgery, but more advanced cases may require a combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy. In most cases, surgical intervention is the best course of treatment.
Despite the difficulties that are inherent in the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma, the research that is now being conducted helps us understand the disease better and leads to the development of novel and original treatment strategies.
Treatment of cholangiocarcinoma (bile ducts cancer)
According to Dr. Valeria Simone MD, an experienced general surgeon at Southlake General Surgery, Texas, USA, the stage of cancer determines the range of treatment choices available for cholangiocarcinoma, which may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or any combination of these three treatments.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be used to decrease tumors before surgery or to treat tumors that cannot be removed surgically. Surgery is typically suggested for tumors that are in an early stage and have not migrated to other parts of the body.
Targeted therapies, which are treatments aimed specifically at correcting a genetic mutation in a patient, may also be utilized in some instances.
The most effective course of treatment for cholangiocarcinoma will be decided based on a range of considerations, such as the location and size of the tumor, the patient’s general state of health, and the patient’s own individual preferences.
Prevention of Cholangiocarcinoma
Cholangiocarcinoma can be avoided by minimizing the risk factors that contribute to its development, such as infection and inflammation of the bile ducts.
This can be accomplished by ensuring that underlying illnesses, such as hepatitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis, are properly treated and managed.
Keeping a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, frequent exercise, and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption may also minimize the risk of developing cholangiocarcinoma.
In addition, primary sclerosing cholangitis, a history of bile duct abnormalities, or a family history of cholangiocarcinoma are all risk factors for developing cholangiocarcinoma; individuals with these conditions should undergo routine screening tests to aid in the early discovery and management of the disease.
Prognosis
Cholangiocarcinoma has a generally poor prognosis, with a five-year survival rate ranging from 5% to 30% depending on the stage and location of the tumor. This disparity in survival rates is due to the disease’s aggressiveness.
Unfortunately, many cases of cholangiocarcinoma are not discovered until cancer has progressed to an advanced stage, at which point choices for curative therapy may no longer be feasible.
However, early detection and treatment can significantly improve results for patients, highlighting the significance of routine screening for people who have a high risk of acquiring this disease.
Patient outcomes can be vastly improved via early diagnosis and treatment. Even though cholangiocarcinoma has a poor prognosis, there is still ongoing research being done on the disease, and new treatments are being developed, so there is hope for better outcomes in the future.
Appointment
For more information on “Bile Ducts Cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma)” and consultation with Dr. Valeria Simone MD, at Southlake General Surgery, Texas, USA. Please contact our healthcare expert today at +1(817) 748-0200.