Treatment

Treatment for biliary tract cancers depends on the type and stage of cancer as well as on the patient’s age and overall health. The goal of treatment is to completely eliminate the cancer. Unfortunately, this is often not possible and the focus may need to be changed to treating the signs and symptoms the cancer is causing or preventing the tumour from causing more harm.

For gallbladder cancer: Surgical removal of the gallbladder usually offers the best hope for people with gallbladder cancer. If the tumour is very small and has not spread to the deeper layers of the gallbladder tissue, the surgeon may perform a simple cholecystectomy, which removes only the gallbladder. If the cancer is more advanced, some liver tissue and nearby lymph nodes are removed along with the gallbladder.

For bile duct cancer: Surgery usually offers the best chance for people with bile duct cancer. But the type of surgery varies depending on the location of the cancer and how extensive it is. For example, removing the affected part of the liver treats tumours that are within the liver. Tumours that develop where the hepatic duct leaves the liver (perihilar tumours) are usually treated by surgically removing a portion of the bile duct, the gallbladder, and parts of the liver, pancreas and the small intestine.