Bile duct cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma)
Anything that can increase your risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor.
Different cancers have different risk factors. Having one or more of these risk factors doesn't mean you will definitely get that cancer.
Below we have information about the risk factors for bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma). Some risk factors depend on the type of bile duct cancer and where in the world you live.
Read more about the different types of bile duct cancer
The risk of getting bile duct cancer increases as people get older. It can develop at any age but most people are aged 65 and over. But it’s important to remember that bile duct cancer is rare, so the risk of developing it is still small.
Read about why cancer is more common in older people
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare type of inflammation of the bile ducts. Doctors don't know what causes it.
People with PSC may have an increased risk of developing cancer of the bile ducts. One study based in the Netherlands found that more than 5 in 100 people with PSC (more than 5%) went on to develop bile duct cancer.
Liver flukes are worms that get into the bile ducts. Having them increases the risk of bile duct cancer. People get liver flukes from eating food that contains them, such as raw fish.
They are not usually a cause of bile duct cancer in the UK. But liver flukes are a major problem in Asia where bile duct cancer is much more common.
A choledochal cyst (pronounced kol-eh-doke-al sist) is where part of the bile duct swells and gets wider (dilates). They are very rare.
People with choledochal cysts have them from birth. They usually develop symptoms in early childhood. But some people do not develop any symptoms until they are an adult. Doctors usually remove choledochal cysts to reduce the risk of developing bile duct cancer.
Caroli disease is a type of choledochal cyst. It is a very rare condition you are born with. It makes the bile ducts in the liver dilate. This can increase the risk of developing cancer in the bile ducts in the liver (intrahepatic bile duct cancer).
Doctors don’t know exactly what causes choledochal cysts. Or why they increase the risk of bile duct cancer.
Bile duct stones are made of tiny amounts of fats and . They stick together to form a stone. They can start in the bile ducts. Or they can start in the gallbladder and move to the bile ducts. Stones that start in the gallbladder are called gallstones.
Stones that start in the bile ducts usually develop after an infection. Or because of the slow movement of bile through the ducts.
Gallstones can be caused by changes in body weight and some medicines.
Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver caused by earlier damage. The scarring can cause problems with the way the liver works. Things that cause cirrhosis include:
long term infection with a virus such as hepatitis B or C
long term alcohol drinking
a condition called
Liver cirrhosis can increase the risk of bile duct cancer. Especially intrahepatic bile duct cancer.
Ulcerative colitis is a type of IBD. It causes inflammation of the bowel. Some IBDs like ulcerative colitis, can increase the risk of bile duct cancer.
Most people affected by Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PCS) also have ulcerative colitis.
Plutonium is an element left over from making energy in nuclear reactors. It is .
Very few people in the UK work with plutonium. If you do, there are regulations in place to protect you.
Thorotrast (thorium dioxide) was a dye (contrast medium) that was used until the 1960’s. It made x-ray pictures clearer.
People who have had Thorotrast in the past have a higher chance of developing bile duct cancer.
Some factors might increase the risk of bile duct cancer but there isn’t enough evidence to be sure. These include:
medical conditions including hepatitis B or C infection and diabetes
drinking alcohol
smoking tobacco
having high blood pressure
being overweight or obese
taking steroids to increase the amount of muscle in the body
chewing betel quid - a combination of betel leaf, areca nut and slaked lime
Read more about reducing the risk of cancer
Stories about possible cancer causes are often in the media and it can be hard to know what’s true and what’s not. You may have heard of something that isn’t included here. This is because we only include a risk factor in this information if it is supported by good quality evidence.
Find out about common cancer myths and questions on the causes of cancer
Last reviewed: 16 Oct 2024
Next review due: 16 Oct 2027
Bile duct cancer is when abnormal cells in the bile ducts divide in an uncontrolled way. It is also called cholangiocarcinoma.
Bile duct cancer symptoms may include yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), itchy skin, dark urine and pale poo, high temperature and pain in your tummy (abdomen).
If you have symptoms of bile duct cancer you should see your GP. They might ask you to have some tests and will refer you to a specialist.
There are 3 main types of bile duct cancer. Intrahepatic bile duct cancer starts in the liver. Perihilar and distal bile duct cancers start in the bile ducts outside the liver.
Survival for bile duct cancer depends on many factors including whether the cancer is in the bile ducts in the liver or outside of the liver.
Bile duct cancer is also called cholangiocarcinoma. It is a rare type of cancer that develops in the small tubes that connect the liver and gallbladder to the small bowel.
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