Surgery for Bile Duct Cancer
Surgery for remove bile duct cancer is performed to remove the cancer and some healthy tissue around the tumor.
Some facts about Surgery for Bile Duct Cancer:
- Bile duct cancer, also called cholangiocarcinoma can be cured by performing surgery for Bile Duct Cancer.
- Surgery for Bile Duct Cancer is not suitable for advanced bile duct cancer in which the cancer has already spread to other parts of the body.
- It is called as a resectable cancer if it can be removed.
- It can be decided if it is a resectable cancer or not by looking at your tests and scan results.
- You need to be generally fit to have this operation as removal of bile duct cancer is a major surgery.
- It is common for bile duct cancer to come back even after surgery and there is also a risk of problems after this operation
- There are 3 types of bile duct cancer depending on its location. These are intrahepatic bile duct cancer, perihilar bile duct cancer and distal extrahepatic bile duct cancer
Preparation for Surgery for Bile Duct Cancer:
- Avoid eating and drinking anything at least four hours before your surgery.
- You may drink a sip of water with your medications if needed.
- Any history of bleeding disorders or are taking any blood-thinning (anticoagulant) medicines, aspirin, or other medicines that affect blood clotting should be informed to your healthcare provider as you may be asked to stop taking these medicines before your surgery.
- The possible complications and side effects, the risk of the cancer coming back, what the operation involves and whether all the cancer can be removed will be discussed with you by your doctor.
Procedure for Surgery for Bile Duct Cancer:
- The type of surgery that you will have depends on the size and location of the tumor in your bile duct which will be determined by your surgeon at the time of your surgery.
- The common bile duct and the gallbladder will be removed in order to remove the whole tumor.
- A piece of your small intestine will be attached to your remaining bile duct in this surgery which will allow the bile to flow directly from your liver into your small intestines.
- Your surgeon will take out a piece of your liver when the tumor involves the liver.
- Your surgeon may be able to remove Intrahepatic bile duct cancer starts in the bile ducts in the liver and some of the surrounding liver tissue by a liver resection or a hepatectomy.
- The operation is called a lobectomy when the surgeon needs to remove one of the lobes of the liver which may be either the right and the left lobe.
- The liver will usually grow back and work normally f you don’t have other problems with your liver.
- The surgeon might remove the bile ducts outside the liver (extra hepatic bile ducts), part of the liver, the gallbladder and the nearby lymph nodes in the surgery to remove perihilar bile duct cancer which develops in the bile ducts just outside the liver, where the right and left hepatic ducts join together.
- The bile ducts outside the liver (extra hepatic bile ducts), nearby lymph nodes and part of the pancreas and small bowel (duodenum) will be removed in the surgery to remove distal extra hepatic bile duct cancer which starts in the bile ducts near the pancreas and small bowel.
