What should you know about central cholangiocarcinoma?

It is also called perihilar or hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Because this narrow area drains bile from the liver, even a relatively local tumour can obstruct bile flow. Planning requires detailed imaging of the ducts, nearby blood vessels, liver and lymph nodes.

Blocked bile flow can cause yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, itching and infection within the bile ducts. Central cholangiocarcinoma often presents with obstructive jaundice, but these symptoms can also occur with non-cancerous blockage and need medical assessment.

Doctors determine how far the tumour extends along each duct and whether it involves vessels or other structures. Blood tests assess liver function, while scans map anatomy. A tissue sample may be obtained when it will guide treatment, although the diagnostic route varies with the planned procedure.

A specialist team reviews whether complete surgical removal appears possible and whether enough functioning liver can remain. Surgery may involve bile ducts, part of the liver, the gallbladder and nearby lymph nodes. Some people first need drainage of a blocked duct to treat infection or improve bile flow.

When removal is unsuitable, treatment may include systemic medicine, a procedure to maintain drainage, or symptom-directed care. Tumour testing can sometimes identify a molecular change relevant to targeted treatment. The plan is individual rather than determined by the tumour name alone.

Seek urgent care for fever or shaking chills with jaundice, worsening upper abdominal pain, confusion, faintness or repeated vomiting. A blocked and infected bile duct can become serious quickly. Promptly report a drain that stops flowing, moves out of position, leaks around the skin or produces new bleeding.

Ask where the tumour sits in relation to each bile duct and major blood vessel, whether surgery is feasible, whether drainage is needed, how a diagnosis will be confirmed and whether molecular testing could influence systemic treatment.