Biliary Cirrhosis / Bile Duct Cancer

What is biliary cirrhosis?

Biliary cirrhosis is a rare form of liver cirrhosis, caused by disease or defects of the bile ducts. Symptoms usually include cholestasis (accumulation of bile in the liver). There are two types of biliary cirrhosis:

• primary biliary cirrhosis – inflammation and destruction of bile ducts in the liver.
• secondary biliary cirrhosis – results from prolonged bile duct obstruction or narrowing or closure of the bile duct.

What is bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma)?

Next to gallstones, cancer is the most common cause of bile duct obstruction. The majority of bile duct cancers develop in the part of the ducts that are outside the liver and are sometimes referred to as extrahepatic tumors. Most bile duct cancers are adenocarcinomas which means they develop from the glandular cells of the bile duct.

Treatment for bile duct cancer:

Specific treatment for bile duct cancer will be determined by your physician based on:

• your age, overall health, and medical history
• extent of the disease
• cause of the disease
• your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• expectations for the course of the disease
• your opinion or preference