Cholangiocarcinomas (Bile Duct Cancer)

Cholangiocarcinomas (bile duct cancer) - Symptoms

Extrahepatic CCAs usually become symptomatic when the tumour obstructs the bile duct drainage system. Symptoms related to biliary obstruction include:

Yellowing of skin and eye (jaundice)
Itchy skin (pruritus)
Clay-coloured stools
Tea-coloured urine

Other common symptoms include:

Abdominal pain
Weight loss
Fatigue
Fever

Intrahepatic CCAs may present differently as the tumour is in the liver. Affected patients are less likely to be jaundiced. Some patients will have mild or no symptoms, and often only develop symptoms in the advance stage.

Advanced-stage symptoms include:

Pain or discomfort in the right side of the abdomen
Abdominal distension or bloating
Poor appetite
Weight loss
Fatigue
Liver failure
Symptoms related to the site the cancer has spread to (metastasis) – for instance, ascites (fluid accumulation) in the abdomen due to spread to the internal lining of the abdomen (peritoneum), pain due to spread to the bone, or breathlessness due to spread to the lungs