Biliary tract cancers
What are biliary tract cancers?
Biliary tract cancers start in either the cells of the gallbladder or bile duct. The most common type is adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder or bile duct.
Risks for biliary tract cancer
Risks for biliary tract cancer (both gallbladder cancer and bile duct cancer) include gallstones, inflammation of the biliary tract and choledochal cysts.
Symptoms of biliary tract cancers
Common signs and symptoms of biliary tract cancers include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and jaundice.
Diagnosis of biliary tract cancers
Biliary tract cancers can be diagnosed or ruled out by tests such as blood chemistry tests, ultrasound imaging or cholangiography.
Grading biliary tract cancers
Grading describes how cancer cells look compared to healthy cells. Low-grade biliary tract cancers tend to grow more slowly and are less likely to spread than high-grade biliary tract cancers.
Stages of biliary tract cancers
The stage of biliary tract cancers describes the size of the tumour (T), if cancer is in the lymph nodes (N) and if it has spread or metastasized (M).
If a biliary tract cancer spreads
Biliary tract cancer can spread (metastasize) to areas including the liver, pancreas, and lungs.
Prognosis and survival for biliary tract cancers
Prognosis estimates the outcome for biliary tract cancers. It depends on many factors including stage, location of the tumour and if the tumour can be removed.
Treatments for biliary tract cancers
Biliary tract cancers are often treated with surgery. Chemotherapy, radiation or targeted therapy may also be used.
Supportive care for biliary tract cancers
Supportive care helps people with biliary tract cancers manage physical, practical, emotional and spiritual challenges.
Biliary tract cancer statistics
Cancer statistics tell us how many people in Canada are diagnosed with and die from biliary tract cancer in a certain time frame.