Bile duct cancer does not usually cause signs or symptoms until later in the course of the disease, but sometimes symptoms can appear sooner and lead to an early diagnosis. If the cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, treatment might work better.
When bile duct cancer does cause symptoms, it's usually because a bile duct is blocked. Symptoms tend to depend on whether the cancer is in ducts inside the liver (intrahepatic) or in ducts outside the liver (extrahepatic), and include:
Jaundice
Normally, bile is made by the liver and released into the intestine. Jaundice occurs when the liver can’t get rid of bile, which contains a greenish-yellow chemical called bilirubin. As a result, bilirubin backs up into the bloodstream and settles in different parts of the body. Jaundice can often be seen as a yellowing of the skin and in the white part of the eyes.
Jaundice is the most common symptom of bile duct cancer, but most of the time, jaundice isn't caused by cancer. It's more often caused by hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) or a gallstone that has traveled to the bile duct. But whenever jaundice occurs, a doctor should be seen right away.
Itching
Excess bilirubin in the skin can also cause itching. Most people with bile duct cancer notice itching.
Light-colored/greasy stools
Bilirubin contributes to the brown color of bowel movements, so if it doesn’t reach the intestines, the color of a person’s stool might be lighter.
If the cancer blocks the release of bile and pancreatic juices into the intestine, a person might not be able to digest fatty foods. The undigested fat can also cause stools to be unusually pale. They might also be bulky, greasy, and float in the toilet.
Dark urine
When bilirubin levels in the blood get high, it can also come out in the urine and turn it dark.
Abdominal (belly) pain
Early bile duct cancers seldom cause pain, but bigger tumors may cause belly pain, especially below the ribs on the right side.
Loss of appetite/weight loss
People with bile duct cancer may not feel hungry and may lose weight without trying to do so.
Fever
Some people with bile duct cancer develop fevers.
Nausea and vomiting
These are not common symptoms of bile duct cancer, but they may occur in people who develop an infection (cholangitis) as a result of bile duct blockage. These symptoms are often seen along with a fever.
Keep in mind: Bile duct cancer is rare. These symptoms are far more likely to be caused by something other than bile duct cancer. For example, people with gallstones have many of these same symptoms. And there are many far more common causes of belly pain than bile duct cancer. Also, hepatitis (an inflamed liver most often caused by infection with a virus) is a much more common cause of jaundice.
Still, if you have any of these problems, it’s important to see a doctor right away so the cause can be found and treated, if needed.
Medically Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on June 22, 2021 Biliary obstruction is when your bile duct becomes blocked. Bile ducts or pancreatic ducts are vessels that carry bile from your liver and
gallbladder through your pancreas to your intestines. A blockage in your bile duct can cause severe complications if left untreated. Your liver produces a greenish-yellow fluid called bile, which helps break down fats in your food. Bile is made of cholesterol, bile salts, and water. It gets its color from bilirubin,
which is formed when your blood cells break down. Bile or pancreatic ducts are a network of tubes connecting your liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and intestine. They transport bile and digestive juices from the liver and pancreas to your small intestine to break down your food. Bile flows through the bile ducts from the liver to the gallbladder. The gallbladder stores bile until it is needed. From the gallbladder, the bile passes through the pancreas via the
pancreatic duct. Here, the bile duct collects pancreatic juice, which contains digestive enzymes to break down sugars. Then, it carries these fluids to the small intestine for digesting fats and sugars. Bile duct or biliary obstruction is blockage of one or more bile ducts in your body. If your bile duct is blocked, it can’t
transport bile or pancreatic juice to your intestines for digestion. This causes bile to build up in your liver and increases bilirubin levels in your blood.What Are Bile Ducts?
Bile Duct Obstruction
Here are some of the common causes of biliary obstruction. Cholelithiasis — or gallstones. Bile can solidify in your gallbladder if you have high blood cholesterol levels. This leads to
stone-like deposits called gallstones. Large gallstones can get stuck in your bile duct and result in biliary obstruction. Cancer.Bile duct cancer, gallbladder cancer, or
pancreatic cancer can spread quickly. They are known to cause bile duct obstruction. Injury during surgery. Bile duct injuries like a cut, burn, scar, or pinch during gallbladder surgery can cause a blocked bile duct. Choledochal cysts. These can occur when parts of your bile duct become enlarged. In a few cases, they can lead to bile duct
obstruction. Chronic pancreatitis. Biliary obstruction can result from other conditions like pancreatitis — which is chronic inflammation in your pancreas. Other causes. Your bile duct can become blocked if you get an injury in your abdomen. It may also occur due to infections, especially if you are
taking drugs to suppress your immune system. A biliary obstruction prevents bile from flowing out of your liver. This causes bile to build up in your liver cells as well as make bilirubin to leak into your blood. Bile duct obstruction also stops bile from reaching your intestines. Without digestive juices, your food can’t be digested and absorbed properly. This may
cause a vitamin deficiency. A blockage in your bile duct can cause bilirubin to collect in your body because bile can’t escape. This can make your eyes and skin turn yellow, leading to jaundice. Without bilirubin in the bile, you may have pale, clay-colored stools and dark yellow urine. You may also experience:Causes of Biliary Obstruction
Symptoms of Biliary Obstruction
If you have a biliary obstruction, your doctor will examine your gallbladder
and check your symptoms. Certain symptoms of biliary obstruction like jaundice can be confused with liver disease. Your doctor may check your history and ask about your alcohol or drug use. Your doctor will order blood tests to check if the levels of the following are high: If your blood test results
suggest biliary obstruction, your doctor may confirm the diagnosis using: Bile duct obstruction can
be treated by removing the blockage or curing the underlying cause. Gallstones can be removed using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Surgical procedures like gallbladder removal or cholecystectomy may be required to treat biliary obstruction caused by recurring gallstones. For bile duct obstruction caused by cancer, your doctor will widen and drain your
bile ducts using endoscopy or by inserting a needle through your skin. Your doctor may recommend chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery to treat your cancer. If your bile duct is blocked due to choledochal cysts, your doctor will perform surgery to treat your enlarged bile ducts. Biliary obstruction due to pancreatitis can be treated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Your doctor may also prescribe medications to relieve pain. If a bile duct obstruction is left untreated, it can result in: Gallstones are the most common cause of biliary obstruction. You may get them if you eat a lot of food that is high in cholesterol or fats. So, you can prevent biliary obstruction by controlling your intake of fats and sugars with a
diet for a healthy gallbladder. If you notice any symptoms of a blocked bile duct, consult your healthcare provider for medical advice.Diagnosis of Biliary Obstruction
Treatment of Biliary Obstruction
Complications of Biliary Obstruction
Prevention of Biliary Obstruction