The earliest stages of bile duct cancer might not cause any symptoms which mean it can have reached an advanced stage before it is spotted
Vague symptoms can be significant warnings of bile duct cancer, a relatively rare condition with about 2,200 cases annually in the UK. Unfortunately, these are often diagnosed at an advanced stage due to the subtle early signs.
Liver Cancer UK stressed the importance of two particular symptoms that are only detectable during toilet breaks: Unusually dark urine and pale, putty-like stool, both are early tell-tale signs of the disease.
The charity pointed out that these could also be symptoms of other conditions, advising people to consult their GP if they experience them, adding: “All these symptoms can be caused by other conditions. It’s important to see your GP to find out what’s causing them.”
Additional warning signs identified include nausea, appetite loss, itching, flu-like symptoms such as fever and fatigue, abdominal pain spreading to the back, and unexplained weight loss.
Should the cancer advance, it may fully obstruct the bile duct, triggering one of the most obvious indicators of liver concerns – jaundice. This condition, resulting from excess yellow pigment bilirubin, manifests as yellowing skin and potentially altered eye whites.
While the exact cause of bile duct cancer remains unknown, and contrary to popular belief, it’s not familial nor always associated with alcohol consumption.
Liver Cancer UK debunks this common fallacy stating, “It’s a myth that liver cancers are always related to alcohol. In fact, it’s unclear whether alcohol is linked to bile duct cancer.
“Most people who get bile duct cancer are older, between 50 and 70. Some other liver or gallbladder conditions increase risk because they irritate the bile ducts. People with these may get bile duct cancer when they’re younger.”
Having pre-existing conditions such as being overweight, diabetes, or other liver diseases like cirrhosis or long-standing hepatitis infections can also heighten the chances of developing bile duct cancer. The treatment options for this rare type of cancer vary and largely depend on the stage at which it is diagnosed.
Possibilities include surgery to remove affected areas such as parts of the liver, bile duct, or gallbladder. In some cases, there might be a need to remove sections of the pancreas or small intestine, and chemotherapy may be administered post-surgery to help combat the cancer.