ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Bile Duct Cancer

What is bile duct cancer?

26 January 2026

This is an oncological condition that affects the bile ducts, which are the channels through which bile travels, connecting the small intestine and the liver. Depending on the location of the tumors, bile duct cancer, or cholangiocarcinoma, is classified as:

  • Intrahepatic: Develops in the area of the bile ducts located within the liver, and is sometimes considered a type of liver cancer.
  • Hilar or Perihilar: Appears in the ducts immediately outside the liver, which is why it is also known as perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.
  • Extrahepatic or Distal: Located in the area of the bile ducts near the small intestine.

Being a type of cancer that is difficult to diagnose in early stages, when the diagnosis is made, it is often when its stage of advancement is extensive, resulting in low treatment effectiveness.

While cholangiocarcinoma is capable of affecting people of any age, its incidence is predominantly in adults over 45 years of age.

Bile duct cancer begins due to a cellular genetic mutation that causes abnormal cells to multiply uncontrollably and accumulate, forming a tumor susceptible to metastasizing and spreading to other body areas.

A series of potential risks for developing bile duct cancer have been identified, including:

  • Chronic liver diseases.
  • Congenital abnormalities in the bile ducts.
  • Smoking.
  • Primary sclerosing cholangitis.
  • Diabetes.
  • Cystic fibrosis.
  • Lynch syndrome.

Signs and symptoms Bile Duct Cancer

  • Pain in the right side of the abdomen.
  • Weight loss.
  • High temperature (Fever).
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin/eyes).
  • High-intensity itching.
  • Whitish stool.
  • Fatigue.
  • Night sweats.
  • Dark urine coloration.

Diagnosis and treatment Bile Duct Cancer

After the doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination and request various studies to confirm the diagnosis, including:

  • Blood analysis.
  • Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
  • Ultrasound.
  • Computed Tomography (CT) scan.
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
  • Tissue Biopsy.

The treatment to follow will depend on the location, stage of advancement, and size of the tumor, but it generally includes:

  • Surgical procedure to remove the tumor.
  • Chemotherapy.
  • Radiation therapy.
  • Targeted therapy.
  • Immunotherapy.

In very advanced intrahepatic cases, the therapeutic option is a liver transplant.

Our Cancer Center, since its inauguration in 2009, offers chemotherapy and radiation therapy treatments on par with the best medical centers in the world through a comprehensive care model for the oncology patient.

Related centers and departments Bile Duct Cancer

Cancer Center
Internal medicine
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Sources:

  • radiologyinfo.org
  • cancer.org
  • cancer.net
  • cancer.gov
  • medlineplus.gov
  • msdmanuals.com
  • mayoclinic.org
  • medigraphic.com
  • Mora-Morales E, Denis-Rodríguez PB, Melo SG, et al. Utilidad de la inmunohistoquímica en el diagnóstico del hepatocolangiocarcinoma. Rev Mex Med Forense. 2018;3(2):47-53.
  • Cavazos SC, Lazos OM, Aguirre GJ. Hipertensión portal idiopática asociada a hepatocarcinoma y colangiocarcinoma. Informe de un caso. Rev Med Hosp Gen Mex. 2007;70(4):189-193.
  • Maldonado-Calderón JL, Urbina-Zeglen A, Maldonado-García EL. Colangiocarcinoma. Caso clínico a propósito del abordaje diagnóstico. Cir Gen. 2022;44(1):34-39. doi:10.35366/109317.
  • Céspedes RHA, Céspedes RHR. Elementos etiopatogénicos y diagnósticos del tumor de Klatskin o colangiocarcinoma hiliar. Revista Cubana de Cirugía. 2020;59(4):1-21.

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