Bile Duct Cancer

Bile is a fluid secreted by the liver to help digest food, and bile ducts are the tiny tubes in and around the liver that carry this fluid to the small intestine. Cancer of the bile ducts occurs when cells in these tubes become abnormal and grow uncontrollably.

The bile ducts are located deep within the body, making it difficult to detect early tumors during a standard physical. In addition, there are no reliable screening options for bile duct cancer, so it tends to be diagnosed at later stages when cancer has grown and spread.

Every patient is different, with different needs. Our entire team works together to bring you precise, state-of-the-art surgical, radiation, drug and other therapy options that will deliver the best outcome for you. Those options may include surgery, drug therapy, radiation therapy or clinical trials.

Through our clinical trials program — one of the most extensive in the nation — bile duct cancer patients can often access promising new anti-cancer drugs and technologies not available elsewhere.                                                                                  

When you come to City of Hope, you automatically gain access to an unparalleled array of support services to help you and your family cope with each challenge in your bile duct cancer diagnosis and treatment.