Skip to Main Content Cholangiocarcinoma is a cancerous
(malignant) growth in one of the ducts that carries bile from
the liver to the small intestine. Bile duct cancer Cancerous
tumors of the bile ducts are usually slow-growing and do not
spread (metastasize) quickly. However, many of these tumors are
already advanced by the time they are found. A
cholangiocarcinoma may start anywhere along the bile ducts.
These tumors block off the bile ducts. They affect both men and
women. Most patients are older than 65. Risks for this condition
include: Cholangiocarcinoma is rare. It occurs in approximately
2 out of 100,000 people. Your health care provider will perform
a physical exam. Tests will be done to check for a tumor or
blockage in the bile duct. These may include: Blood tests that
may be done include: The goal is to treat the cancer and the
blockage it causes. When possible, surgery to remove the tumor
is the treatment of choice and may result in a cure. If the
tumor is large, the entire liver may need to be re