Treatment for bile duct cancer

There are things you can do to help you feel more in control of your physical and mental health when preparing for treatment. In the hospital, preparing for treatment is also called prehabilitation or prehab.

Treatment for bile duct cancer includes surgery, chemotherapy and targeted cancer drugs. Find out more about the different types of treatment you might have. 

You might have a small tube (stent) put in to clear a blockage caused by bile duct cancer. This can relieve your symptoms and help you feel better. 

The type of surgery you have depends on where the cancer is in the bile duct and if it has spread. You might have surgery to try to remove your cancer if your cancer is only in the bile ducts and hasn't spread elsewhere in the body. 

Chemotherapy uses anti cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells. It is a common treatment for advanced bile duct cancer. 

Radiotherapy uses high energy x-rays to treat cancer cells. You might have it to help control symptoms of bile duct cancer such as pain. 

Symptoms of advanced bile duct cancer include tiredness and pain. Your doctor might suggest treatments such as pain killers and anti sickness medicines to help you feel better. 

You have regular follow up appointments and tests after treatment for bile duct cancer. This is usually every 3 months if you have had surgery to remove bile duct cancer.