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Disease Profile

Bile duct cancer

Prevalence
Prevalence estimates on Rare Medical Network websites are calculated based on data available from numerous sources, including US and European government statistics, the NIH, Orphanet, and published epidemiologic studies. Rare disease population data is recognized to be highly variable, and based on a wide variety of source data and methodologies, so the prevalence data on this site should be assumed to be estimated and cannot be considered to be absolutely correct.

1-9 / 100 000

3,310-29,790

US Estimated

5,135-46,215

Europe Estimated

Age of onset

Adult

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ICD-10

C22.1 C24.0 C24.8 C24.9

Inheritance

Autosomal dominant A pathogenic variant in only one gene copy in each cell is sufficient to cause an autosomal dominant disease.

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Autosomal recessive Pathogenic variants in both copies of each gene of the chromosome are needed to cause an autosomal recessive disease and observe the mutant phenotype.

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X-linked
dominant X-linked dominant inheritance, sometimes referred to as X-linked dominance, is a mode of genetic inheritance by which a dominant gene is carried on the X chromosome.

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X-linked
recessive Pathogenic variants in both copies of a gene on the X chromosome cause an X-linked recessive disorder.

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Mitochondrial or multigenic Mitochondrial genetic disorders can be caused by changes (mutations) in either the mitochondrial DNA or nuclear DNA that lead to dysfunction of the mitochondria and inadequate production of energy.

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Multigenic or multifactor Inheritance involving many factors, of which at least one is genetic but none is of overwhelming importance, as in the causation of a disease by multiple genetic and environmental factors.

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Not applicable

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Other names (AKA)

Extrahepatic bile duct cancer

Categories

Digestive Diseases; Rare Cancers

Summary

The following summary is from Orphanet, a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs.
orphanet

Orpha Number: 70567

Definition
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a biliary tract cancer (BTC, see this term) originating in the epithelium of the biliary tree, either intra or extra hepatic.

Epidemiology
The prevalence is unknown but it accounts for approximately 3% of gastrointestinal tumors and 10-15% of all hepatobiliary malignancies.

Clinical description
CCA can occur in the intra or extra-hepatic biliary tract. A specific type of extra-hepatic CCA known as a Klatskin tumor (see this term) occurs at the junction where the left and right hepatic bile ducts meet the common bile duct (CBD). It is slightly more prevalent in males than females (1.3:1.0) and usually presents in the fifth to seventh decade of life. Clinical manifestations are not usually noted until an advanced disease stage. Extra-hepatic CCA manifests with signs of cholestasis (jaundice, pale stools, dark urine, pruritus), malaise, weight loss and/or progressive weakness. Intra-hepatic CCA may present with an abdominal mass or with non-specific symptoms of decreased appetite, weight loss, abdominal pain and malaise.

Etiology
The etiology is unknown and most cases of CCA occur sporadically. Risk factors include primary sclerosing cholangitis (see this term), secondary sclerosing cholangitis, chronic typhoid carriage, parasitic infections (Opisthochis viverrini and Clonorchis sinensis), exposure to thorotrast (x-ray contrast medium) and choledochal cysts, all of which cause chronic biliary inflammation.

Diagnostic methods
Diagnosis is suspected on clinical and laboratory findings. Serum carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 is the glycoprotein tumor marker most often used in the diagnosis of CCA. It is found to be elevated in 85% of patients. Increased CEA levels are also noted. Extra-hepatic tumors cause increased levels of alkaline phosphate (ALP), conjugated bilirubin and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) while intra-hepatic have only slightly elevated ALP levels. Abdominal imaging, visualization of the biliary tree and biopsies of the lesion are necessary for diagnosis. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) provides information on intrahepatic metastases, biliary anatomy and tumor extension and is used in the staging of CCA. It has been advocated to replace endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), a more invasive method. Visualization of the biliary tree and samples through brush cytology or bile duct biopsies are obtained with ERCP. A needle biopsy is performed in those with a liver mass. Extra-hepatic CCA is further divided into anatomical subtypes according to the Bismuth classification and a disease stage is given. Ultrasound, and contrast enhanced helical computerized computed tomography (CT) can be used in visualizing the extent of disease.

Differential diagnosis
Intra-hepatic CCA is often mistaken for metastatic adenocarcinoma. Carcinoma of the gallbladder (see this term), benign strictures and Mirizzi syndrome should be excluded.

Management and treatment
Surgical resection is the only potentially curative treatment for CCA but recurrences after surgery are frequent. Unfortunately CCA is often diagnosed as unresectable because of local extension and/or metastases. Distal CCA arising from the CBD is often treated by pancreatoduodenectomy. More proximal CCA needs hepatic resection. Palliative management involves biliary drainage by inserting metal stents in the biliary tree to release the blockage. Adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery or palliative chemotherapy for unresectable CCA is indicated. Gemcitabine combined with cisplatin therapy is the standard treatment for unresectable biliary tract cancers, including CCA.

Prognosis
As proximal CCA is usually not diagnosed until a late stage of disease, prognosis is poor with 5-year survival rates of 20-50% after resection and almost 0% in unresectable tumors. Death is often due to biliary sepsis, cancer cachexia, malnutrition and liver failure.

Visit the Orphanet disease page for more resources.

Symptoms

This table lists symptoms that people with this disease may have. For most diseases, symptoms will vary from person to person. People with the same disease may not have all the symptoms listed. This information comes from a database called the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) . The HPO collects information on symptoms that have been described in medical resources. The HPO is updated regularly. Use the HPO ID to access more in-depth information about a symptom.

Medical Terms Other Names
Learn More:
HPO ID
80%-99% of people have these symptoms
Acholic stools
Clay colored stools
0011985
Biliary tract neoplasm
0100574
Jaundice
Yellow skin
Yellowing of the skin

[ more ]

0000952
30%-79% of people have these symptoms
Fatigue
Tired
Tiredness

[ more ]

0012378
Pruritus
Itching
Itchy skin
Skin itching

[ more ]

0000989
5%-29% of people have these symptoms
Abdominal pain
Pain in stomach
Stomach pain

[ more ]

0002027
Anorexia
0002039
Fever
0001945

Organizations

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

    Learn more

    These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

    Where to Start

    • MedlinePlus was designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, and it provides more information about this topic.
    • The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library provides information on this condition for patients and caregivers.
    • The National Cancer Institute provides the most current information on cancer for patients, health professionals, and the general public.

      In-Depth Information

      • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
      • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
      • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Bile duct cancer. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.