Treatment for bile duct cancer
Your treatment depends on what type of bile duct cancer it is, the stage of the cancer and your general health.
The main treatment for bile duct cancer that hasn't spread is surgery followed by chemotherapy.
Unfortunately, bile duct cancer has normally spread outside the bile ducts by the time most people are diagnosed. This is called advanced bile duct cancer. You normally have chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted cancer drugs to treat advanced bile duct cancer.
You also have treatment to control the symptoms of bile duct cancer. This includes having a procedure to open a blocked bile which can relieve jaundice. Some people may have radiotherapy to control the symptoms of advanced bile duct cancer.
Preparing for treatment and life afterwards (prehabilitation)
There are things you can do to help you feel more in control of your health when preparing for treatment. This is called prehabilitation or prehab.
Treatment options for bile duct cancer
Treatment for bile duct cancer includes surgery, chemotherapy, targeted cancer drugs and immunotherapy. Which treatments you have depends on a number of factors.
Surgery for bile duct cancer
You might have surgery to remove bile duct cancer if it hasn't spread elsewhere in your body. Your healthcare team will make sure you are well enough for the operation.
Chemotherapy for bile duct cancer
Chemotherapy uses anti cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells. You might have chemotherapy after surgery or to help control the cancer if it has spread.
Targeted and immunotherapy drugs for bile duct cancer
You might have targeted or immunotherapy drugs to treat bile duct cancer. Which one you have may depend on gene changes in the cancer cells.
Radiotherapy for bile duct cancer
Radiotherapy isn't a very common treatment for bile duct cancer. You may have it to help control symptoms of bile duct cancer, or to areas the cancer has spread to.
Controlling symptoms of advanced bile duct cancer
Your healthcare team can give you medicines to help control some of the symptoms of bile duct cancer. There are also practical things you can try.
Stents to relieve symptoms of bile duct cancer
Bile duct cancer can block your bile duct making your skin and eyes go yellow (jaundice). Your doctor might put a small tube called a stent into your bile duct to relieve the blockage.
Follow up after treatment for bile duct cancer
You have regular tests and follow ups if you have bile duct cancer, or after surgery to remove the cancer. How often you have the appointments depends on your situation.
