Treatments for biliary tract cancers
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Your healthcare team will create a treatment plan just for you. The plan is based on your health and specific information about the cancer. What you want is also important when planning treatment.
Biliary tract cancers can start in cells of either the gallbladder or bile duct. When cancer starts in gallbladder cells, it is called primary gallbladder cancer. When cancer starts in bile duct cells, it is called primary bile duct cancer. When deciding which treatments to offer for gallbladder or bile duct cancer, your healthcare team will consider:
- if the cancer can be completely removed with surgery (is resectable)
- the stage and grade of the cancer
- possible side effects
- your age
- your overall health
- any medical problems you have
- what you prefer or want
Surgery is the main treatment for biliary tract cancers. Other treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy and targeted therapy may be used on their own or given with surgery.
Treatments for resectable biliary tract cancers
Resectable biliary tract cancers means the tumour can be completely removed with surgery. Chemotherapy and radiation are also sometimes used.
Treatments for unresectable biliary tract cancers
Biliary tract cancers that can't be removed completely with surgery are usually treated with palliative surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Follow-up after treatment for biliary tract cancers
Follow-up is an important part of care for biliary tract cancers. It often involves regular tests and visits with the healthcare team.