Biliary Cancer Treated by Specialists in the Baltimore Region

Biliary cancer is found in the organs of the biliary system. The primary types of biliary cancer are hepatocellular carcinoma, or liver cancer, and cholangiocarcinoma, or bile duct cancer. Pancreatic cancer and gallbladder cancer also can be considered forms of biliary cancer.

Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis, a chronic, progressive disease of the liver, are at risk for biliary cancer.

Symptoms of biliary cancer include:

• Jaundice
• Abdominal pain
• Itching
• Swelling of the legs

Patients are screened for biliary cancer with sophisticated techniques performed through an endoscope. “Spyglass”, which allows doctors unparalleled views of the system, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram, or ERCP, and endoscopic ultrasound are used to diagnose biliary cancer.

Biliary cancers are treated surgically or with stents that are placed during an endoscopy. A liver transplant may be recommended for certain patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis or bile duct cancer.