1. Understanding Extrahepatic Bile Duct Cancer
Extrahepatic is a rare, but dangerous and fatal cancer that forms in the bile ducts located outside of the liver. This duct is an important tube that connects the liver to the gall bladder. The liver collects bile and sends it to the gall bladder via this duct. Then the bile moves into the small intestine for digestion. Cancer of this duct can interfere with the flow of bile through the duct, causing problems in digestion.
2. Testing and Diagnosing Extrahepatic Bile Duct Cancer
Diagnosing extrahepatic bile duct cancer is not always easy. A doctor may order a series of tests and blood work to see if the cancer is present. An MRI and a chlorangiography (pictures of the liver and gall bladder) may be ordered. He may also order a liver function test to see if duct obstruction is present.
3. Symptoms of Extrahepatic Bile Duct Cancer
Patients who have this rare form of cancer will usually experience jaundice or yellowish coloring of the skin and/or chronic colitis, which has symptoms of extreme stomach and abdominal pains, diarrhea, fever and extremely itchy skin.
4. Treatment of Extrahepatic Bile Duct Cancer
Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer. Usually, doctors don't detect this form of rare cancer until it has spread throughout the liver and surrounding organs. If doctors do find the tumor early, surgery is possible to remove it. However, if the cancer has spread, the doctor will usually recommend some form of palliative therapy, which is medication to help ease the pain until death occurs. There is no cure for this type of cancer.
5. Living With Extrahepatic Bile Duct Cancer
Once a patient receives a diagnosis of extrahepatic bile duct cancer, expect further tests to determine the stage of the cancer. If the tumor is obvious and the cancer is at a beginning stage, surgery may be an option. The surgeon will remove the tumor under anesthesia, and the patient will require a hospital stay. However, if the cancer has spread, then the patient will have to learn to live with the condition. The doctor will provide medication to ease the pain, and will continue to monitor the patient closely throughout the remainder of their life.
