Cholangiocarcinoma is a type of cancer that affects the bile ducts. It is also known as bile duct cancer, and is a rare but aggressive form of cancer. The bile ducts are responsible for carrying bile from the liver to the small intestine. The cancer typically originates in the cells of the bile ducts, known as cholangiocytes, and can spread to other organs such as the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and lymph nodes.
Cholangiocarcinoma is usually diagnosed in its later stages, making it difficult to treat effectively. Symptoms of the cancer can include pain in the abdomen, jaundice, loss of appetite, weight loss, and fatigue. Diagnosis can be done with a CT scan or MRI, as well as biopsy.
Treatment options for cholangiocarcinoma include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy. Surgery is the main treatment for this cancer, and may involve the removal of the tumor and surrounding tissue. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be used to reduce the size of the tumor before or after surgery. Targeted therapy is a relatively new form of treatment that uses drugs to target specific pathways in the cancer cells and stop them from growing and reproducing.
Cholangiocarcinoma is a serious form of cancer, and research is continuously being done to find new and better ways to treat it. It is important for anyone diagnosed with this cancer to speak with their doctor about the best treatment options for them.