Bile duct cancer diagnoses

1 reply
34 subscribers
184 views

A family member has recently been diagnosed with stage 3A Bike duct cancer.- but her numerous biopsy procedures are coming back inconclusive despite tumour appearing to be growing. Can anyone explain in simple terms why cancer would have been staged but biopsy come back inconclusive. (Note they have determined it is inoperable based on size, positioning and some liver resection trial) along with fit test that says no to removing. Palliative chemo was the suggested option but unsure whether oncology will take on due to inconclusive tests. why is bile duct cancer so difficult to get a reading on - there has been around 5 biopsy now

Debbie C - Macmillan 2 months ago

Hi Overseas mum

Thanks for getting in touch with us. I’m Debbie, one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line. I am sorry to hear that your family member has been diagnosed with bile duct cancer (also called cholangiocarcinoma) and can understand your need for information and support at this difficult time.

Here at the Macmillan Support Line, we can give general information and support. We are independent from the NHS and don’t have access to medical records, so we can’t give personalised information.

As the bile ducts are positioned deep within the body, they can be hard to access, and it can be very difficult to diagnose cancer in this area. There is information about the tests for bile duct cancer on this page of the NHS Inform website. As we are not directly involved in your family member’s care, we are not able to say why the biopsies are coming back inconclusive when she has been diagnosed. It may be that the blood tests or scans so far seem to strongly indicate cancer. But it can be very difficult to take a biopsy from a tumour in the bile duct and some cancers have areas of cancer but also areas of normal cells. So the biopsies could have been taken from areas that contain normal cells.

Your family member’s treatment team is in the best position to answer this question, and to decide which treatment is most appropriate for your family member. But I appreciate it may be difficult for you to contact the team. They can’t usually discuss the situation with you, unless she gives permission for them to do that. Here is some information about the possible treatments though.

We may be able to give further information by phone, when we can often get a clearer picture of your situation. See the support line number below. Your relative might also find it helpful to contact AMMF – the cholangiocarcinoma charity. I hope that this information is helpful and wish you and your relative all the best. Please do feel welcome to contact us again if there is anything else we can help with.

With best wishes

Debbie C

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or email us.

Ref/DC/DT

Disclaimer

Bile duct cancer diagnoses