Bile Duct Cancer: Signs and Symptoms

Bile duct cancer, also known as cholangiocarcinoma, refers to a group of cancers that develop in the bile ducts. Bile duct cancer is rare in the United States, with about 8,000 people diagnosed each year. 

Bile ducts are thin tubes that connect the liver to the small intestine. They allow bile, a liquid that helps the body break down fats in food, to flow from the liver and gallbladder into the small intestine. 

Bile duct cancer does not usually cause symptoms in the early stages and is most often diagnosed once it has spread beyond the bile ducts. Symptoms typically start when the cancerous tumor blocks the bile duct. The most common symptom of bile duct cancer is jaundice. Other symptoms include fatigue, itchy skin, dark-colored urine, abdominal pain, and unintended weight loss. 

The most common symptom of bile duct cancer is jaundice, a condition that causes the skin, mucous membranes, and whites of the eyes to appear yellow. Jaundice develops when the liver cannot get rid of bile. Bile duct cancer causes a blockage in the bile duct, preventing bile from leaving the liver. 

Bile contains a yellow-greenish chemical called bilirubin. When bile becomes trapped in the liver, bilirubin builds up in the bloodstream and settles into certain body parts, causing the skin to appear yellow. 

Jaundice is typically caused by a less serious health condition like gallstones (small, hard deposits that develop in the liver) or hepatitis (liver inflammation). See your healthcare provider if you develop any signs of jaundice. 

People with jaundice often experience dark-colored urine. Elevated bilirubin levels in the blood cause the urine to appear darker in color than usual. If you experience dark urine despite drinking enough water, consider talking with your healthcare provider. 

Bilirubin is the chemical that causes the brown color in stool (poop). When bilirubin becomes trapped in the liver, it cannot reach the large intestine, making the stool appear lighter in color.

Bile and pancreatic juices help the body digest fatty foods. The body cannot break down fatty foods when bile does not function effectively. These undigested fats cause stool to look pale and clay-colored. People with bile duct cancer may also have stools that look greasy and bulky.

Experiencing unexplained fevers may be a sign of some cancers, including bile duct cancer. See your healthcare provider if you have noticed fevers without other signs of infection. 

Early-stage bile duct cancer does not tend to cause pain. As bile duct cancer grows and spreads, it may start to cause abdominal pain. Larger tumors can press on the organs, causing pain in the area below the right ribs. 

When bile duct cancer blocks the bile duct, bile builds up in the liver. One possible symptom of increased bilirubin in the blood is pruritus (itching). Most people with bile duct cancer experience itchy skin. 

Nausea and vomiting are not typical signs of bile duct cancer. The cancer itself does not cause these symptoms. However, bile duct cancer may raise the risk of an infection called cholangitis, which causes inflammation and swelling of the bile duct system. People with this infection often experience fevers, nausea, and vomiting. 

Bile duct cancer can cause a loss of appetite as it progresses. People with bile duct cancer may begin to lose weight due to a loss of appetite and eating less. It is critical to see your healthcare provider if you experience unintended weight loss. 

Bile duct cancer is rare in adults in the United States and extremely rare in children. Children living in some parts of Asia are at higher risk of bile duct cancer due to the risk of liver fluke infection. Liver flukes are parasites found in fish in that part of the world. If a person consumes an infected fish that is raw or undercooked, they are at risk of severe infection. 

One possible symptom of bile duct cancer in children is significant weight loss. Weight loss in a child could be a sign of a serious health condition. Contact your child’s healthcare provider if you are concerned about their weight. 

People assigned male at birth and people assigned female at birth experience similar rates of bile duct cancer. Known risk factors of bile duct cancer include:

Many symptoms of bile duct cancer may be signs of benign (non-cancerous) or less severe health conditions. Bile duct cancer is rare, and your symptoms may be caused by an infection or other condition.

See your healthcare provider for an evaluation and diagnosis if you develop symptoms of bile duct cancer. 

Bile duct cancer refers to a group of cancers that start in the bile duct. Bile ducts are thin tubes that connect the liver to the small intestine. They transport bile, a liquid that helps the body break down fats from food. The type of bile duct cancer depends on where it develops, including the specific bile duct.

Jaundice is the most common symptom of bile duct cancer. A person with jaundice has skin, eyes, and mucous membranes that appear yellow. Jaundice is caused by a backup of bile in the liver and a buildup of bilirubin in the blood. Other possible symptoms of bile duct cancer include dark urine, clay-colored stools, itchy skin, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and unintended weight loss.