What causes bile duct cancer

What causes bile duct cancer? The incidence of bile duct cancer is getting higher and higher, and the threat to life caused by this disease is getting greater and greater. Once it occurs, it is very difficult to treat. In order to better treat and prevent the disease, it is necessary for everyone to understand the cause of bile duct cancer. Let us learn about it together.

Causes of cholangiocarcinoma: bile duct stones and biliary infection

About 1/3 of patients with cholangiocarcinoma have concurrent bile duct stones, and 5% to 10% of patients with bile duct stones will develop cholangiocarcinoma. It is generally believed that the long-term mechanical stimulation of the bile duct wall by hepatobiliary stones and the resulting chronic biliary infection and bile stasis lead to chronic proliferative inflammation of the bile duct wall, which in turn causes atypical hyperplasia of the bile duct mucosal epithelium. Pathological observations have found that atypical hyperplasia of the bile duct mucosal epithelium can gradually transition into adenocarcinoma. Recommended reading: What complications can cholangiocarcinoma cause

Primary sclerosing cholangitis, a risk factor for bile duct cancer

This is an autoimmune disease. A chronic cholestatic liver disease closely related to inflammatory bowel disease. It is characterized by diffuse inflammation, stenosis and fibrosis of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts, progressive destruction of the bile ducts, and ultimately leading to cirrhosis, portal hypertension and liver failure. Primary sclerosing cholangitis is generally considered a precancerous lesion of bile duct cancer, and most patients are found to have bile duct cancer within 2.5 years after diagnosis.

Clonorchis sinensis: a risk factor for bile duct cancer

In Southeast Asia, eating raw fish infected with liver flukes can lead to bile duct infection, bile stasis, peribiliary fibrosis and bile duct hyperplasia, which is one of the factors leading to bile duct cancer. If there is a region where people are used to eating foods rich in nitrite, the possibility of inducing cancer is even greater.

Chemical carcinogens as a cause of cholangiocarcinoma

Radioactive nuclides such as thorium, chemicals such as asbestos and nitrosamines, drugs such as isoniazid, methyldopa, birth control pills, etc. may all be sources of bile duct cancer.

Biliary duct cystic dilatation, a risk factor for bile duct cancer

It has been reported that 2.8% to 28% of patients develop cancer. Stone formation in the cyst, bacterial infection, and especially reflux of pancreatic juice due to abnormal development of the confluence are the main causes of cancer.

The above is an introduction to the causes of bile duct cancer. We hope that through the above, everyone can pay more attention to the small details in life and prevent the occurrence of the disease, which is our main purpose.