Bile Duct Cancer

Why choose us for bile duct cancer care?

Bile duct cancer is a rare condition. Because it is uncommon, it is important to seek care at an experienced program such as the one at Mays Cancer Center, home to UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center. We offer a level of expertise that’s not widely available in South Texas.

Our highly skilled doctors use leading bile duct cancer care techniques. You have access to medical specialists, including GI medical oncologists, endoscopists and liver surgeons who offer treatments personalized to your needs.

Bile duct cancer is one of the many forms of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer we treat.

What you need to know about bile duct cancer

• Bile is a substance your body produces to digest fat from the food you eat. Your bile duct is a thin tube that delivers bile from the liver to the small intestine.
• Abnormal growths from bile duct cancer are small at first and might not cause symptoms. As they become larger, the growths affect the bile duct’s ability to do its job.
• Doctors often detect bile duct cancer in later stages, making it difficult to treat it with surgery. But when you come to Mays Cancer Center, you still have options.

How to talk to your doctor about bile duct cancer

A bile duct cancer diagnosis may come as a shock, but we can help you find peace of mind. We listen to your concerns and try to take some of the uncertainty out of the road ahead.

You might want to ask us about:

• Additional testing to determine and plan the treatments that fit your needs
• Cancer stage, how large the cancer is and whether it has spread to other organs
• Treatment details, including which treatments we recommend and how soon you can start
• Potential treatment side effects, along with services to lessen their impact on your mind and body
• Support services to help you navigate life with cancer and the challenges it may bring

Many patients take comfort in the assistance and encouragement they receive from loved ones. Feel free to bring family members or trusted friends with you to your appointments. We can discuss important care decisions as a group so you feel less alone during treatment.

Research and clinical trials

We are advancing care for bile duct cancer and other forms of GI cancer through clinical trials. Our efforts are bringing innovative care options to South Texas, so that eligible patients can receive leading-edge care close to home. Find out more information about cancer clinical trials and research.