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<link rel="alternative" hreflang="en" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000291.htm"/><meta property="og:title" content="Cholangiocarcinoma: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia"/><meta property="og:url" content="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000291.htm"/><meta property="twitter:title" content="Cholangiocarcinoma: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia"/><meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/><meta name="description" content="Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare cancerous (malignant) growth in one of the ducts that carries bile from the liver to the small intestine."/><meta itemprop="description" name="description" content="Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare cancerous (malignant) growth in one of the ducts that carries bile from the liver to the small intestine."/><meta property="og:description" content="Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare cancerous (malignant) growth in one of the ducts that carries bile from the liver to the small intestine."/><meta property="twitter:description" content="Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare cancerous (malignant) growth in one of the ducts that carries bile from the liver to the small intestine."/><meta property="og:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/share_ency_1.jpg"/><meta property="og:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/share_ency_2.jpg"/><meta property="og:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/share_ency_3.jpg"/><meta property="twitter:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/share_ency_1.jpg"/>
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</div><div><span>Cholangiocarcinoma</span></div></div>
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</noscript></div><div class="main"><div id="ency_summary"><p>Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare cancerous (malignant) growth in one of the ducts that carries <a test="test" href="./002237.htm">bile</a> from the liver to the small intestine.</p></div><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Causes</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-1" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-1"><p>The exact cause of CCA isn't known. However, many of these tumors are already quite advanced by the time they are found.</p><p>CCA may start anywhere along the bile ducts. These tumors block off the bile ducts.</p><p>Both men and women are affected. Most people are older than 65.</p><p>People with the following health problems may have a higher chance of developing CCA:</p><ul><li>
Bile duct (choledochal) <a test="test" href="./003240.htm">cysts</a></li><li>
Chronic <a test="test" href="./002240.htm">biliary</a> and liver inflammation</li><li>
History of infection with parasitic worms, liver flukes
</li><li>
Primary <a test="test" href="./000285.htm">sclerosing cholangitis</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./000250.htm">Ulcerative colitis</a></li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Symptoms</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-2" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-2"><p>Symptoms of CCA may include any of the following:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./003090.htm">Fever</a> and chills</li><li>Clay-colored stools and dark urine</li><li><a test="test" href="./003217.htm">Itching</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./003121.htm">Loss of appetite</a></li><li>Pain in the upper right abdomen that may radiate to the back</li><li><a test="test" href="./003107.htm">Weight loss</a></li><li>Yellowing of the skin (<a test="test" href="./000210.htm">jaundice</a>) </li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Exams and Tests</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-3" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-3"><p>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:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./003789.htm">Abdominal CT scan</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./003777.htm">Abdominal ultrasound</a></li><li>Procedure that uses a viewing scope to look at the bile ducts (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or <a test="test" href="./007479.htm">ERCP</a>), during which <a test="test" href="./003894.htm">tissue may be taken</a> and looked at under a microscope</li></ul><p>Blood tests that may be done include:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./003436.htm">Liver function tests</a> (especially alkaline phosphatase or <a test="test" href="./003479.htm">bilirubin</a> levels)</li><li><a test="test" href="./003642.htm">Complete blood count</a> (CBC)</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Treatment</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-4" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-4"><p>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. Often the cancer has already spread locally or to another area of the body by the time it is diagnosed. As a result, surgery to cure the cancer is not possible.</p><p><a test="test" href="./002324.htm">Chemotherapy</a> or <a test="test" href="./001918.htm">radiation</a> may be given after surgery to decrease the risk of the cancer returning.</p><p>In select cases, a liver transplant can be tried.</p><p>
Endoscopic therapy with stent placement can temporarily relieve blockages in the biliary ducts. This may also relieve jaundice when the tumor cannot be removed.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Outlook (Prognosis)</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-5" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-5"><p>Completely removing the tumor allows some people to survive with the possibility of complete cure. </p><p>The survival time varies greatly from several months to several years. Outlook depends on:</p><ul><li>The location of CCA</li><li>The cell type of CCA</li><li>The stage of the tumor</li><li>The person's age and general health</li><li>Whether surgery is an option</li><li>The person's response to treatment</li></ul><p>If the tumor cannot be completely removed, a cure is generally not possible. With treatment, about one half of affected people live a year, and about one half live longer, but rarely beyond 5 years. You and your family may want to start thinking about end-of-life planning, such as:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./000536.htm">Palliative care</a></li><li>Hospice care</li><li><a test="test" href="./000472.htm">Advance care directives</a></li><li>Health care agents</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Possible Complications</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-6" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-6"><p>Complications of CCA include:</p><ul><li>Infection</li><li>Liver failure</li><li>Spread (<a test="test" href="./002260.htm">metastasis</a>) of tumor to other organs</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>When to Contact a Medical Professional</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-7" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-7"><p>Contact your provider if you have jaundice or other symptoms of cholangiocarcinoma.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Alternative Names</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Alt" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Alt"><p>Bile duct cancer</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section sec-mb"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Images</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-tnails" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/1090t.jpg" alt="Digestive system" title="Digestive system" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/1090.htm">Digestive system</a></li>
<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/8794t.jpg" alt="Bile pathway" title="Bile pathway" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/8794.htm">Bile pathway</a></li>
</ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>References</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Ref" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Ref"><p>Gibson RN, Sutherland TR. The biliary system. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, Gillard JH, Schaefer-Prokop CM, eds. <em>Grainger &amp; Allison's Diagnostic Radiology</em>. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 24.</p><p>Koea JB. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. In: Jarnagin WR, ed. <em>Blumgart's Surgery of the Liver, Biliary Tract and Pancreas</em>. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 50.</p><p>National Cancer Institute website. Bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma) treatment (PDQ) -- health professional version. <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/types/liver/hp/bile-duct-treatment-pdq" target="_blank">www.cancer.gov/types/liver/hp/bile-duct-treatment-pdq</a>. Updated March 28, 2024. Accessed December 2, 2024.</p><p>Rizvi SH, Gores GJ. Tumors of the bile ducts, gallbladder, and ampulla. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. <em>Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease</em>. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 69.</p></div></div></section>
<section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Review Date 6/17/2024</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-version" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<div id="section-version" class="section-body"><p>Updated by: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists &amp; Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.</p>
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