Bile Duct Cancer Symptoms and Signs

November 22, 2024

This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Laleh Melstrom, M.D., M.S., associate professor of surgery and immuno-oncology, Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, City of Hope^® Cancer Center Duarte

Bile ducts are tubes that connect the liver, gallbladder and small intestine. Bile duct cancer, also known as cholangiocarcinoma, forms when cells in the bile ducts grow abnormally and uncontrollably. A person may not notice any symptoms when the cancer begins. The signs and symptoms of bile duct cancer might also be confused with those of other health conditions.

Symptoms are things a person feels, like pain or loss of appetite. Signs are things that may be measured or seen, like a low-grade fever or jaundice (yellowing of the skin).

Doctors use both signs and symptoms to diagnose bile duct cancer.

Symptoms of Bile Duct Cancer

Symptoms of bile duct cancer are usually due to a blockage in the bile duct. However, people may have very similar symptoms from other, more common conditions that are noncancerous.

Bile duct cancer often goes unnoticed until the cancer grows large enough to cause a blockage. The blockage may cause belly pain under the ribs on the right side of the body. Belly pain has many other causes, too, including peptic ulcers and indigestion.

Jaundice, also a common sign of a blockage in the bile ducts, is more likely to be caused by inflammation or gallstones. It happens when the liver is unable to remove bilirubin, a yellow chemical that carries oxygen in the blood. The built-up bilirubin travels into the bloodstream and causes yellowing of the eyes and skin, itchiness, and color changes in stool and urine.

Although less common, some people with bile duct cancer may experience nausea, vomiting and fever. These symptoms typically happen when a blocked bile duct gets infected, a problem known as cholangitis.

Symptoms may go unnoticed until the more advanced stages of bile duct cancer, but may include:

• Jaundice (the yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Itchy skin
• Lightly colored and/or greasy stool, which may float
• Dark urine
• Belly pain, typically felt under the ribs on the right side of the body
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss

Doctors and support staff work together to provide patients and their loved ones with a comprehensive treatment plan for this rare cancer.