Am I at risk for getting biliary duct cancer?
People who have chronic inflammation of the bile ducts or gallbladder have an increased risk of developing bile duct and gall bladder cancer.
Besides, certain conditions of the gall bladder, liver or bile ducts such as Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), Bile Duct Stones, Gallstones, Choledochal Cyst Disease, Liver Fluke Infections, Cirrhosis, Infection with Hepatitis B virus or Hepatitis C virus, etc., are linked to the development of bile duct cancers.
Other factors for bile duct cancer include:
- Inflammatory bowel disease: People with these diseases have an increased risk of bile duct cancer.
- Age: Elderly people are more likely to get bile duct cancer.
- Obesity: Being overweight can increase the risk of developing bile duct cancer. This is because obesity increases the risk of gallstones and bile duct stones, as well as the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Over time, this can cause swelling and scarring that can progress to cancer.
- Family history: A history of bile duct cancer in the family increases a person’s chance of developing this cancer type.
- Diabetes: Diabetics (type 1 or type 2) have a higher risk of bile duct cancer.
- Alcohol: People who consume alcohol are more likely to get bile duct cancer. The risk is higher in those who already have liver problems from drinking alcohol.
Other possible risk factors for bile duct cancer include:
- Chronic pancreatitis (long-term inflammation of the pancreas)
- Smoking
- Infection with HIV
- Exposure to radioactive chemicals
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