How is bile duct cancer staged? It can be divided into 4 stages

From a surgical perspective, bile duct cancer can be staged according to TNM, which is divided into four stages: stage I, stage II, stage III, and stage IV. Different stages of bile duct cancer will result in different surgical scopes and postoperative effects.

1. Stage I cholangiocarcinoma <br/>The tumor is far away from the hilar bile duct, about 2 cm away from the duodenum to the entrance of the gallbladder. It is easy to operate during surgery and the tumor can be radically removed.
2. Stage II cholangiocarcinoma <br/>The tumor is located at the confluence of the left and right bile ducts to the beginning of the extrahepatic common bile duct. Radical resection is possible and may result in cure.
3. Stage III cholangiocarcinoma <br/>The tumor invades a wide area, from the common bile duct to the left and right bile ducts in the gallbladder. Radical surgery is not possible and only semi-resection can be done.
4. Stage IV cholangiocarcinoma <br/>The tumor has invaded the gallbladder, including the left and right bile ducts and the common bile duct. Radical surgical removal is not possible and only palliative treatment, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, can be performed.