Is bile duct cancer hereditary?

Hepatoductal carcinoma is a type of extrahepatic bile duct malignancy that often occurs in middle-aged and elderly people. In the early stages of the disease, patients may lose their appetite, become thinner and thinner, and itch. As the symptoms gradually become more severe, hepatoductal carcinoma enters the late stage. Hepatoductal carcinoma causes great pain to patients and friends, and both the body and the mind suffer a double blow. While worrying about their own health, they are also afraid that the disease will be passed on to their children. Everyone wants to know whether hepatoductal carcinoma is hereditary.

The editor consulted many experts and also asked some patients and friends, and finally came to the conclusion that hepatoductal carcinoma is hereditary. Why do you say that?

According to current expert surveys, the probability of an average person getting hepatoductal cancer is 0.44%, but if there is someone in the family who has had hepatoductal cancer, the incidence rate will increase to 4%. This shows that hepatoductal cancer is hereditary.

As for genetic factors, hepatocellular carcinoma is not a single gene dominant or recessive inheritance, but a polygenic inheritance. Although environmental inheritance has a greater impact than genetic inheritance, hepatocellular carcinoma has a certain familial clustering, and genetic factors may account for 2/5 of all causes of the disease.

Why is the incidence rate of people with a family history of hepatocellular carcinoma nearly 10 times that of ordinary people? This is because they carry the corresponding genes that are prone to hepatocellular carcinoma and are exposed to an external environment that is prone to liver cancer. Therefore, the chance of getting the disease is higher than that of ordinary people.

If a direct relative has cancer, the probability of his or her descendants getting cancer will increase slightly because they have a certain common genetic background with the patient. However, in the process of cancer development, acquired factors play a greater role. Therefore, after a relative has cancer, the family members should, on the one hand, undergo a comprehensive anti-cancer physical examination, and on the other hand, learn about cancer prevention knowledge.

After listening to my introduction, you should understand whether hepatoductal cancer is hereditary. Even if it is hereditary, you should not be too anxious. As long as you do regular check-ups, quit smoking and limit alcohol, eat a balanced diet, and be in a good mood, I believe that hepatoductal cancer will not find you.