Enlarged Bile Duct And Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancers can cause a bile duct obstruction if the tumor enters.

Enlarged bile duct and pancreatic cancer.

This is especially true in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis. Bile duct cancer refers to all cancers that develop within the biliary system. Cholangiocarcinoma is cancer that forms in the slender tubes bile ducts that carry the digestive fluid bile. The mayo clinic explains that bile duct cancer also known as cholangiocarcinoma is cancer that forms in the slender tubes bile ducts that carry the digestive fluid known as bile.

This may be due to the tumor obstructing the bile duct and causing liver cell destruction and scarring. Bile ducts connect your liver to your gallbladder and to your small intestine. This condition also known as bile duct cancer is an uncommon form of cancer that occurs mostly in people older than age 50 though it can occur at any age. The resulting tumors may block a bile duct.

Malignant cancer of the bile duct is called cholangiocarcinoma and grows slowly. Jaundice usually occurs without abdominal pain. It eventually spreads throughout the liver. Cirrhosis may develop in bile duct cancer.

Pancreatic cancer that blocks the liver s bile duct can cause jaundice. Your doctor may recommend that a plastic or metal tube stent be placed inside the bile duct to hold it open.