Cholangiocarcinoma (patient information): Difference between revisions
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:*Ultrasound: Ultrasound may be the first imaging test done in people who have symptoms. The mechanism of echoes is that echos produced by tumors issue are different from those of normal tissue. During the procedure, you only need to lie on a bed while the doctor places the transducer on the skin over the part of your body. | :*Ultrasound: Ultrasound may be the first imaging test done in people who have symptoms. The mechanism of echoes is that echos produced by tumors issue are different from those of normal tissue. During the procedure, you only need to lie on a bed while the doctor places the transducer on the skin over the part of your body. | ||
:*Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and biopsy: During this procedure, a thin, lighted and flexible tube is passed down your throat, through the esophagus and stomach, then into the first part of the small intestine. A small amount of contrast material is then injected through the tube into the common bile duct and x-rays are taken. The x-ray images can show narrowing or blockage of these ducts that might be due to cholangiocarcinoma. At the same time the doctor doing this test can also put a small brush through the tube to remove cells for a biopsy. | |||
:*Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP): This is a less invasive way to image the bile ducts using magnetic fields. | |||
:*Computed tomography (CT) scan and biopsy: CT scans are often used to diagnose cholangiocarcinoma. It can confirm the location of the cancer and show the organs near the bile ducts, as well as lymph nodes and distant organs where the cancer might have spread. These are helpful for determining the stage of the cancer and in determining whether surgery is a good treatment option. CT scans can also be used to guide biopsy and a biopsy sample is usually removed and looked at under a microscope. | :*Computed tomography (CT) scan and biopsy: CT scans are often used to diagnose cholangiocarcinoma. It can confirm the location of the cancer and show the organs near the bile ducts, as well as lymph nodes and distant organs where the cancer might have spread. These are helpful for determining the stage of the cancer and in determining whether surgery is a good treatment option. CT scans can also be used to guide biopsy and a biopsy sample is usually removed and looked at under a microscope. | ||
Revision as of 20:35, 21 August 2009
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What is cholangiocarcinoma?
The bile duct is a thin tube which reaches from the liver to the small intestine. Its function is to transport bile from the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine to help digest the fats in foods. Cholangiocarcinoma is a cancerous growth in one of the ducts. Cholangiocarcinoma doesn't have any early symptoms. With the development of the cancer, frequent symptoms include jaundice, itching, abdominal pain and ther symptoms due to blockage of the bile duct. Treatments include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or a combination of them.
How do I know if I have cholangiocarcinoma and what are the symptoms of cholangiocarcinoma?
Early cholangiocarcinoma does not have any symptoms. As the tumor grows larger, people may notice one or more of the following symptoms:
- Jaundice
- Itching
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite/weight loss
- Fever
- Light colored stools/dark urine
- Nausea/vomiting
Other health problems may also cause these symptoms. Only a doctor can tell for sure. A person with any of these symptoms should tell the doctor so that the problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
Who is at risk for cholangiocarcinoma?
Clinical data has suggested that the development of cholangiocarcinoma is related to several factors.
- Chronic inflammation of the bile duct: Clinical data suggest patients who have chronic inflammation of the bile duct such as primary sclerosing cholangitis, ulcerative colitis, bile duct stones, choledochal cysts and cirrhosis have high risk of developing cholangiocarcinoma.
- Liver fluke infections: Liver fluke infection is a major cause of cholangiocarcinoma in some Asian countries.
- Exposure to Thorotrast: Thorotrast, widely used as a contrast agent for x-rays until 1950s, was found to lead to hepatic cancer and cholangiocarcinoma.
- Obesity: Epidemiological survey show being overweight or obese can increase the risk of developing cancers of cholangiocarcinoma.
- Age: Clinical data show old people are more likely to developing cholangiocarcinoma.
How to know you have cholangiocarcinoma?
- Tests of liver and gallbladder function: This is a blood test ordered to detect whether your liver or gallbladder is abnormal or not.
- Tumor markers: High blood levels of CEA and CA-199 suggest that there is cancer. But attention false positive and false negative. Patients are suggested more tests, especially image tests.
- Ultrasound: Ultrasound may be the first imaging test done in people who have symptoms. The mechanism of echoes is that echos produced by tumors issue are different from those of normal tissue. During the procedure, you only need to lie on a bed while the doctor places the transducer on the skin over the part of your body.
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and biopsy: During this procedure, a thin, lighted and flexible tube is passed down your throat, through the esophagus and stomach, then into the first part of the small intestine. A small amount of contrast material is then injected through the tube into the common bile duct and x-rays are taken. The x-ray images can show narrowing or blockage of these ducts that might be due to cholangiocarcinoma. At the same time the doctor doing this test can also put a small brush through the tube to remove cells for a biopsy.
- Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP): This is a less invasive way to image the bile ducts using magnetic fields.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan and biopsy: CT scans are often used to diagnose cholangiocarcinoma. It can confirm the location of the cancer and show the organs near the bile ducts, as well as lymph nodes and distant organs where the cancer might have spread. These are helpful for determining the stage of the cancer and in determining whether surgery is a good treatment option. CT scans can also be used to guide biopsy and a biopsy sample is usually removed and looked at under a microscope.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI uses magnetic fields but it is a different type of image than what is produced by computed tomography (CT) and produces detailed images of the body. Like computed tomography (CT), a contrast agent may be injected into a patient’s vein to create a better picture.
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: When doing this test, a small amount of a radioactive medium is injected into your body and absorbed by the organs or tissues. This radioactive substance gives off energy which in turn is used to produce the images. PET can provide more helpful information than either CT or MRI scans. It is useful to see if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and it is also useful for your doctor to locate where the cancer has spread.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for cholangiocarcinoma?
Directions to Hospitals Treating cholangiocarcinoma
Prevention of cholangiocarcinoma
What to expect (Outook/Prognosis)?
Copyleft Sources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000291.htm