Bile Duct Cancer Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy for Bile Duct Cancer 

Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with drugs (called “anticancer" drugs) that destroy cancer cells. At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), chemotherapy is often used for advanced stage bile duct cancers. Chemotherapy may also be combined with radiation therapy or surgery for disease that has not spread beyond the liver.

Many of our patients have received prior chemotherapy for bile duct cancer. We constantly think of innovative and different treatment approaches. One creative way that we’re treating liver cancer is with intra-arterial chemotherapy and chemoembolization, two methods of delivering treatment directly to the tumor.

The Infusion Center at CTCA 

As a bile duct cancer patient at CTCA, we try to make you as comfortable as possible while you are receiving chemotherapy treatment in the hospital's Infusion Center:

• When you arrive for your first chemotherapy treatment, a nurse will show you around and give you a brief tour of the infusion center.
• Each time you come for an appointment, you choose a seat wherever you would like.
• Semi-private chairs with your own television are always available.
• Rooms are available if you seek more privacy or need to rest during treatment.
• A patient care technician will offer you a heated blanket and get you comfortable, as well as take your order for lunch or dinner. You can order a meal for a companion, too.

In addition, you can choose what you want to do while receiving bile duct cancer chemotherapy treatment. You may decide to talk with family or friends, sit in front of the window, read a book or nap in a private lounge chair.

You can also schedule appointments with acupuncturists and naturopathic clinicians during your time in the Infusion Center. Our practitioners provide supportive therapies to help you relax before or during chemotherapy treatment and to minimize the side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea and vomiting.

Addressing Side Effects of Bile Duct Cancer Chemotherapy

To help you manage chemotherapy side effects, your care team may deliver chemotherapy in smaller amounts over a period of a few days. The smaller doses can be more manageable and may help reduce your side effects, such as nausea and fatigue.

Your CTCA care team will also work together with other clinicians, including the naturopathic medicine, pain management, mind-body medicine and nutrition teams, to help prevent and ease your chemotherapy side effects.

Next Topic: Chemoembolization for Bile Duct Cancer