Bile Duct Diseases

When To Call A Professional

If you develop yellowing of the skin or eyes, contact your doctor. If you also have fever or abdominal pain, call for professional advice immediately.

Prognosis

Infections related to gallstone blockage have excellent results when treated. The most severe infection, ascending cholangitis, has a death rate of less than 1% if treated promptly.

A majority of people with primary sclerosing survive only 9 to 12 years after they've been diagnosed if they don't get a liver transplant. People with primary biliary cirrhosis typically survive between 10 and 17 years after they've been diagnosed if they have no symptoms at the time of diagnosis, and close to seven years once symptoms develop. Because these diseases are so predictable, and because they occur in young adults, people with these conditions are given high priority for liver transplants. Because there is a high risk of complications and death during a liver transplant, transplants are only recommended when more severe symptoms have developed. There is also the possibility of the disease developing in the new liver.

The survival rate for people with cholangiocarcinoma is poor because most people are not diagnosed until the cancer has reached an advanced stage. The five year survival rate for bile duct cancers overall is only between 5% and 10%. If the cancer has not deeply invaded the body, however, surgery can produce excellent results and allow long-term survival (at least 5 years) for 75% to 80% of very early cancers.

Additional Info

American Liver Foundation 75 Maiden Ln. Suite 603 New York, NY 10038 Toll-Free: (800) 465-4837 http://www.liverfoundation.org/

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse 2 Information Way Bethesda, MD 20892-3570 Phone: (301) 654-3810 Toll-Free: (800) 891-5389 Fax: (301) 907-8906 http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/nddic.htm

American Gastroenterological Association 7910 Woodmont Ave. Seventh Floor Bethesda, MD 20814 Phone: (301) 654-2055 Fax: (301) 652-3890 http://www.gastro.org/

American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 4900 B South, 31st St. Arlington, VA 22206 Phone: (703) 820-7400 Fax: (703) 931-4520 http://www.acg.gi.org/