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What is bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma)?

Diagram of the body highlighting the bile ducts as small tubes connecting organs together, including the liver and gall bladder.
  • Bile duct cancer, also called cholangiocarcinoma, is a cancer that's found anywhere in the bile ducts.
  • The bile ducts are small tubes that connect different organs, including the liver and gall bladder. They are part of the digestive system.
  • How serious bile duct cancer is depends on where it is in the bile ducts, how big it is, if it has spread and your general health.

Important: Get your symptoms checked

It's important to get any symptoms of bile duct cancer checked as soon as possible.

Page last reviewed: 26 June 2023
Next review due: 26 June 2026