Bile Duct Cancer Risk Factors

Understanding Bile Duct Cancer 

Produced in the liver, bile (yellow-green fluid) is stored in the gallbladder and drains into the small intestines during digestion to help break down fats and lipids. Bile is transported to these organs through a system of ducts, known as the biliary system. This system delivers 50 to 100 tablespoons of bile every day. These small tube-like structures play a significant role in the digestive process.

The bile ducts function closely with other organs in the digestive system. Inflammation, irritation, or an obstruction within this system may cause digestive problems or jaundice, or develop into a chronic disease. Some of these conditions are considered risk factors for bile duct cancer. Having one or more of these risk factors does not guarantee that you will develop cancer. However, understanding your risk factors enables you to take proactive measures.

Potential Bile Duct Cancer Risk Factors

This list of risk factors includes: certain disease of the liver or bile ducts; chronic irritation or inflammation of the bile ducts; parasite infections; obesity;  family history;  environmental factors (exposure to carcinogens or radioactive chemicals); and certain lifestyle behaviors.

Again, although all of these risk factors can increase your chances of developing bile duct cancer, having one or more of them does guarantee you will develop cancer. Open communication with your doctor will help you to better understand these risk factors as they relate to your overall health. Please discuss with your doctor any of these factors that you feel might put you at an increased risk for cancer.

Lifestyle, Environmental and Health Factors

• Excessive alcohol use and/or cirrhosis of the liver
• Smoking
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals
  • Dioxins, nitrosamines, and PCBs
  • Thorotrast (intravenous chemical previously used for certain X-rays, now banned)
• Water-borne parasitic infections
  • Liver flukes (Clonorchis sinensis or Opisthorchis viverrini)
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Choledochal cysts

Chronic Inflammation or Diseases

• Sclerosing cholangitis (inflammation of the bile duct)
• Ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the large intestine)
• Bile duct stones
• Gallbladder stones
• Pancreatitis
• Irritable bowel syndrome

Chronic inflammation or irritation may also develop into diseases or conditions that are associated with bile duct cancer.

Inherited Causes of Bile Duct Cancer

There are a few rare inherited disorders, like Caroli disease (also called Caroli's syndrome), that may make some people more prone to infection, thereby increasing irritation of the bile ducts and the risk of cancer. However, most cases of bile duct cancer do not appear to a have a familial link.

Age

Bile duct cancer is not very common in young or middle-aged adults. Over 60 percent of bile duct cancer patients are 65 or older.

NOTE: Anything that increases your risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer. Not having risk factors does not mean that you won't get cancer. If you think you may be at risk, you should discuss it with your doctor.

Understanding Your Risks

Most of these factors are not direct causes of cancer; and people who may have several risk factors may never develop cancer. You and your doctor can work together to make positive lifestyle choices to manage your risk of bile duct cancer.

Next Topic: Bile Duct Cancer Symptoms