Types of Cancer » Bile Duct Cancer

extrahepatic bile duct (EK-struh-hih-PA-tik BILE dukt) The part of the common hepatic bile duct (tube that collects bile from the liver) that is outside the liver. This duct joins a duct from the gallbladder to form the common bile duct, which carries bile into the small intestine when food is being digested.

extrahepatic (EK-struh-hih-PA-tik) Located or occurring outside the liver.

bile duct A tube through which bile passes in and out of the liver.

bile A fluid made by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Bile is excreted into the small intestine, where it helps digest fat.

stage 0 extrahepatic bile duct cancer (EK-struh-hih-PA-tik bile dukt) Cancer is found only in the innermost layer of cells lining the extrahepatic bile duct. Also called carcinoma in situ.

stage I extrahepatic bile duct cancer (EK-struh-hih-PA-tik bile dukt) Stage I is divided into stage IA and IB. In stage IA, cancer is found only in the bile duct. In stage IB, cancer has spread through the wall of the bile duct.

stage II extrahepatic bile duct cancer (EK-struh-hih-PA-tik bile dukt) Stage II is divided into stage IIA and IIB. In stage IIA, cancer has spread to the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and/or to either the right or left branches of the hepatic artery or of the portal vein (major blood vessels that carry blood to the liver). In stage IIB, cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes and (1) is found in the bile duct; or (2) has spread through the wall of the bile duct; or (3) has spread to the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and/or the right or left branches of the hepatic artery or portal vein.

stage III extrahepatic bile duct cancer (EK-struh-hih-PA-tik bile dukt) Cancer has spread to (1) the portal vein (blood vessel that carries blood to the liver) or to both branches; or (2) the hepatic artery (blood vessel that carries blood to the liver); or (3) other nearby organs or tissues, such as the colon, stomach, small intestine, or abdominal wall. Cancer may also have spread to nearby lymph nodes.

stage IV extrahepatic bile duct cancer (EK-struh-hih-PA-tik bile dukt) Cancer has spread to lymph nodes and/or organs far away from the extrahepatic bile duct.