Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer)

Factors that may increase your risk of cholangiocarcinoma include:

• Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis leads to hardening and scarring of the bile ducts.
• Chronic Liver Disease - Scarring of the liver due to chronic disease.
• Congenital - People born with a choledochal cyst (Bile duct cyst present at birth), which causes dilated and irregular bile ducts.
• Liver Fluke infection – Cholangiocarcinoma is associated with infection with a liver parasite that is contracted by consumption of raw or undercooked fish.
• Age - It is more common in adults over 50 years of age.
• Smoking - is associated with an increased risk of cholangiocarcinoma.