Doctors from the UK Charity Liver Cancer Association stated that there are two important brands that may refer to bile duct cancer, a aggressive type of cancer that grows in the pipes that link the liver to bitterness and intestine.
These warning signs relate to a change in urine and stool, according to the British Daily Mail.
The rate of survival for 5 years after diagnosis of this type of cancer is 5%, that is, it is expected that only one surviving every 20 patients within 5 years of diagnosis.
Warning signs
Changes in urine and stool may be an indication of the development of bile duct cancer, and can be observed when using the toilet, including dark urine and pale stools. Among the other symptoms that may indicate the disease:
- Yellow of the skin and the whiteness of the eyes
- Skin itching
- Unjustified weight loss
- Abdominal pain, especially on the right side of the stomach
- Symptoms similar to influenza such as fever, fatigue and loss of appetite
These symptoms may be similar to symptoms of other pathological conditions such as jaundice, a condition that occurs when the liver is under stress, and is characterized by yellowing of the skin, white eyes and skin itching, for this reason, doctors urge patients who suffer from any of the previous symptoms to visit the doctor immediately to obtain medical advice.
In the case of cancer of the bile ducts, this stress occurs in the liver due to the blockage of the pipes that link the liver to the bitterness, which leads to the leakage of the bile juice to the blood and other tissues.
Useful reasons
While doctors do not know the exact cause of bile duct cancer, they indicated that this cancer is not always related to alcohol, as is common. It is believed that aging is the main factor in this disease, as it often affects people between 50 and 70 years.
The risk of infection may increase in some health cases, such as infection with parasites called pierced liver worms and some forms of inflammatory bowel disease. Doctors emphasize the importance of early diagnosis, as early detection of the disease can help improve treatment options and its results significantly. Surgical treatment usually includes removing the largest possible tumor, usually followed by chemotherapy.
Statistics and numbers
Bile duct cancer is divided into two main types: the first is the cancer of the bile duct inside the liver, and it is classified as liver cancers, and the second is the cancer of the bile duct outside the liver.
The UK Cancer Research Association has noticed an increase in liver cancer diagnoses in recent years, but the reason for this increase is clear. Research indicates that about one case in 4 liver cancer cases in the UK are caused by obesity, while one -fifth is associated with smoking, and one in every 14 cases resulting from drinking alcohol.