Damaging
This Rare but Aggressive Cancer Often Goes Undetected for Too Long
Biliary tract cancer, also known as cholangiocarcinoma, is a rare type of cancer that affects the bile ducts — the tubes that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine.
Because it typically progresses without obvious symptoms, it’s often called a “silent cancer.” By the time many people are diagnosed, the disease may already be advanced.
Why Biliary Tract Cancer Is So Dangerous
Biliary tract cancer tends to be aggressive and hard to detect early.
Its symptoms often resemble other common gastrointestinal issues, leading to delays in diagnosis.
It can develop in:
• Intrahepatic bile ducts (inside the liver)
• Extrahepatic bile ducts (outside the liver)
• Gallbladder or pancreatic duct junctions
Once it spreads, treatment becomes much more complex.
Know the Signs
Many of the early symptoms are subtle — or dismissed as minor stomach issues:
• Unexplained weight loss
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
• Fatigue or weakness
• Abdominal pain (especially upper right side)
• Light-colored stools / dark urine
• Itchy skin
• Loss of appetite
• Digestive discomfort or bloating
These symptoms may seem harmless — but if they persist, they could point to a deeper issue involving your liver or bile ducts.
Who’s at Risk?
You may be at higher risk if you have:
• Chronic liver disease or cirrhosis
• Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
• Gallstones or history of gallbladder issues
• A family history of biliary or pancreatic cancer
• Liver fluke infection (in some regions)
While it's rare, biliary tract cancer is often diagnosed too late — making awareness essential.
How It's Diagnosed
If biliary tract cancer is suspected, doctors may use:
• Blood tests for liver function
• Imaging (MRI, CT scan, ultrasound)
• Biliary brush biopsy or ERCP
• Tumor marker tests (like CA 19-9)
Early detection increases the chances of more treatment options — including surgery, targeted therapy, or clinical trials.