Skip to main content

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer)

Understanding various colon and rectum conditions and their treatment approaches

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer)

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer)

Overview

It is cancer of the intrahepatic bile ducts (tubules which drains bile from liver to the intestine).

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is the second most common primary liver cancer after hepatocellular carcinoma. When cancer affects the joint of the left and right duct, it is called perihilar or hilar cholangiocarcinoma. While cancer affecting the part of the duct where it joins the intestine is known as distal bile duct cancer.

Risk Factors

Old age
Infection with liver flukes (Clonorchis, Opisthorchis and Fasciola)
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
Cyst of the bile duct (choledochal cyst and Caroli syndrome)
Cirrhosis
Viral hepatitis (hepatitis B and C)
Hepatolithiasis (stones in the liver)
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and NASH
Smoking and alcohol abuse
Chemicals and toxins (e.g. thorotrast)

Surgery Details

Surgical resection is the treatment of choice for intrahepatic bile duct cancer. The surgery requires removal of the bile duct and the part of the liver it is affecting (hepatectomy). The bile is then made to reach intestine by joining a loop of intestine to the cut end of the bile duct of remnant liver.

Prognosis

With resection, 5-year survival ranges from 10% to 49% depending on the stage and aggressiveness of the disease.

Dr. Nikhil Agrawal

About Author

Dr. Nikhil Agrawal
MS, MCh

Dr. Nikhil Agrawal is a leading GI-HPB Surgical Oncologist with 20+ years of experience in complex cancers of the esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts. He leads the GI-HPB Oncology Program at Apollo Hospitals, Delhi and Gurugram, with expertise in advanced robotic and laparoscopic cancer surgery.

His practice focuses on evidence-based, multidisciplinary care with an emphasis on individualized treatment and long-term outcomes.

He trained at BHU, SGPGI Lucknow, AIIMS New Delhi, and SNUBH, South Korea, and is a robotic surgery proctor who trains surgeons in advanced GI-HPB cancer surgery. He is also regularly invited as faculty at national and international scientific meetings.

This website helps patients and families understand GI and HPB diseases and cancers, treatment options, and what to expect during recovery and long-term care.

Know More

Anatomical Diagram

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer)