Stages and grades of bile duct cancer
The tests you have will tell your doctor how big the cancer is and if it has spread. This is called the stage of the cancer. The grade tells you how abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope.
Doctors use either the number or TNM staging system to describe a bile duct cancer. They also use the Bismuth-Corlette classification to describe where a perihilar bile duct cancer is.
The stages are different for each type of bile duct cancer.
About bile duct cancer stages and grades
Your doctor describes bile duct cancer based on how big it is and how far it has spread (stage). They also describe how abnormal the cancer cells are (grade).
Intrahepatic bile duct cancer stages
Intrahepatic bile duct cancer starts in the bile ducts in the liver. Doctors usually use the number or TNM staging systems to describe intrahepatic bile duct cancer.
Perihilar bile duct cancer stages
Perihilar bile duct cancer starts just outside the liver. Doctors usually use the the Bismuth-Corlette classification and the number or TNM staging system to describe perihilar bile duct cancer.
Distal bile duct cancer stages
Distal bile duct cancer starts in the bile ducts near the pancreas and small bowel. Doctors usually use the number or TNM staging systems to describe distal bile duct cancer.
