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Bile Duct Cancer

Understanding

What is Bile Duct Cancer?

Bile duct cells undergo genetic alterations to form bile duct cancer or cholangiocarcinoma. The causes of such genetic changes in the cells have not been established. This results in uncontrolled proliferation of bile duct cells and formation of mass of cells (tumor). This tumor can potentially infiltrate and kill healthy cells.

Curative surgeries are performed to treat early stage tumors and palliative surgeries are performed to relieve symptoms in patients at any cancer stage. For bile duct cancer, there are various surgical procedures developed to either treat the disease or lessen its symptoms. Your general health, the type and stage of the cancer, and the type of surgery, all determine the success of the treatment

Purpose

The goal of surgery for bile duct cancer is to remove the tumor along with some healthy surrounding tissue. It provides excellent chances for bile duct cancer patients to combat the cancer and recover. However, not every bile duct cancer patient is a candidate for this surgery. Less than 30% of patients with bile duct cancer (nearly three out of ten) are eligible for surgery for cancer removal. This is due to the fact that the majority of cancer diagnoses occur after the disease has already spread to other body parts. This is called advanced bile duct cancer. Generally, palliative care, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy is given to patients in advanced stages.

Liver surgeon may advise treatment to reduce the likelihood of the cancer returning after surgery. Such treatment is called Adjuvant therapy. Chemotherapy using capecitabine is typically administered for six months following surgery.

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SPECIALIZED SURGERIES

Evaluation Bile Duct Cancer GI Surgery Pancreatic Surgery Liver Resection Surgery

Types Of

Bile Duct Cancer Surgery

Palliative surgeries

This surgery is done to alleviate cancer symptoms such as bile duct blockages. Following are the various type:

  • Biliary bypass: When a tumor obstructs the bile ducts, a surgical procedure known as a biliary bypass is used to open up a new channel for bile to flow (bile duct obstruction). This relieves symptoms like pain and jaundice by allowing bile to pass through the obstruction and enter the small intestine.
  • Biliary stent or biliary catheter: When biliary bypass is not an option, catheter or stent implantation may be used instead. Rather, to help keep the duct open, a surgeon will insert a tiny tube into it. A stent is a tube made of plastic or metal that passes through the duct blockage. A catheter is a flexible tube that is placed in the drainage bag outside of your body and has one end attached to the bile duct.

Curative surgery

This surgery is done to remove the cancerous tissue along with some surrounding healthy cells. Following are the various type:

  • Bile duct resection: It is done to remove the cancer involving the bile ducts present outside the liver. The damaged bile duct will be removed by a surgeon, who will then create a new one by joining the remaining bile duct to the intestine.
  • Partial hepatectomy: A portion of the liver and the damaged bile ducts are removed during this procedure. It is carried out on the liver’s internal bile ducts.
  • Hepatic lobectomy: When compared to a partial hepatectomy, this procedure is more complex. It opted to treat the cancers that have metastasized within the liver. It entails removing your liver’s entire lobe, left or right.
  • Whipple procedure: This approach involves the removal of the pancreatic head, the first segment of the small intestine, a portion of the bile duct, and the gallbladder by skilled surgeons. To maintain digestive function, surgeons join the small intestine to the pancreas and remaining bile duct.
  • Liver Transplant: The doctor might advise having a liver transplant and completely removing the liver and bile ducts if the cancer has spread too far inside the liver or if it is hard to access.

Procedure of Bile Duct Cancer Surgery

Throughout the process you will remain unconscious as general anesthesia will be administered to you. The medical staff will place a breathing tube through your mouth and into your windpipe once you’re completely asleep to assist with breathing. In order to improve blood flow, they will also place compression socks on your lower legs.

The length of the surgery can range from two to five hours, depending on how complicated the procedure is. A surgeon will make incisions during this period to extract damaged organ tissue or to re-establish bile flow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to your questions

Q1: How successful are bile duct cancer surgeries?

A: The 3-, 5- and 10-year survival rate of a bile duct cancer surgery is 55.3%, 48.3% and 33.7%, respectively.

Q2: Is there a cure for bile duct cancer?

A: Bile duct cancer is curable only if the cancerous cells have not spread. In such a situation, the bile duct may be removed partially or completely. Merely a minor fraction of cases of bile duct cancer are identified at an early stage that makes surgery appropriate.

Q3: In what way is bile duct surgery complex?

A: A bile duct cancer removal procedure is a major surgical procedure. Even following surgery, bile duct cancer often returns. Furthermore, issues could arise following this procedure.