Abdominal cavity tumor

Surgical procedures

Complete resection of the tumor is the most effective treatment method. This may depend on the location of the tumor along the bile duct. This type of surgery is most commonly provided to early disease patients in good physical condition.

For all intrahepatic tumors and almost all patients with tumors around the liver hilum, surgery requires partial liver resection (hepatectomy), and sometimes even removal of the main bile duct.

The bile duct reaches the intestine through the pancreas. Surgery for tumors at the end of the bile duct typically requires the removal of a portion of these organs. This may be referred to as Whipple surgery.

If the main bile duct is removed during surgery, reconstruction must be performed to reconnect the bile flow from the liver to the intestine.

Portal vein embolism

If a patient with biliary cancer needs to undergo surgical resection of a portion of the liver, the doctor will determine if there is enough liver to preserve normal function. If the remaining liver (referred to as future liver residue) is not large enough, patients may need to undergo liver growth surgery.

Using portal vein embolization (PVE) to promote liver growth involves injecting small plastic particles into the blood vessels closest to the tumor through a needle. These particles block blood vessels, deceiving the other side of the liver to grow and compensate for the loss. If the remaining liver tissue grows large and fast enough in the future, the tumor can be safely removed.

Management of biliary obstruction

Bile duct obstruction and bile duct infection (cholangitis) may be life-threatening complications of cholangiocarcinoma. To address these issues, doctors may use an endoscope to insert a stent (made of plastic or metal mesh) into the bile duct to keep it open. Stents can also correct blockages and prevent complications such as infections.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy uses focused high-energy radiation beams to destroy cancer cells. For patients who have not undergone surgery, it can improve survival rates and provide opportunities for cure or long-term disease control.

The experts at Anderson Cancer Center have pioneered a safe method for delivering high-dose radiation to tumor sites. This includes using image guidance to provide radiation to prevent damage to the healthy parts of the stomach, small intestine, colon, and liver. CT or MRI scans are also used for radiation therapy to ensure that the patient's position is at the correct dose.

Based on the patient's anatomical structure and liver function, radiation oncology experts will develop a personalized treatment plan that may include the following options:

Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT): This technology uses high-energy photons to treat tumors. The radiation beam is controlled by changing the beam intensity, using customized shielding to shape the beam, or a combination of both. When the tumor is located near the gastrointestinal tract, these options can be used.

Stereotactic radiation therapy (SBRT): Very high doses of radiation are delivered to the tumor within one to two weeks. For smaller tumors that are not close to the gastrointestinal tract, this method is the best.

Proton therapy: This radiation therapy method uses high-energy particles to target tumors without harming nearby organs.

Radioembolization: Small particles of plastic or other substances are injected into the arteries that deliver blood to the tumor. The radiation source carried by particles kills tumor cells.

chemotherapy

Most biliary tract cancers are only discovered in the late stage with limited surgical treatment methods

chemotherapy

Most biliary tract cancers are only discovered in the late stages of limited surgical treatment, and chemotherapy works by killing rapidly growing cells throughout the body, including cancer cells. It is usually used to control the spread of cancer, alleviate symptoms, and improve overall survival rate.

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy is an important field of research in biliary tract cancer. Some genetic mutations are therapeutic targets for biliary tract cancer. Targeted therapy seeks and destroys these abnormalities within cancer cells. Targeted therapy can be administered orally or intravenously.

Supportive care

Biliary tract cancer and the therapies used to treat it may cause complications. These may include:

Gastric obstruction (gastric outlet obstruction)

Gastric slowdown (gastroparesis)

Weight loss

Malnutrition

Abdominal effusion (ascites)

abdominal pain

Chronic nausea/vomiting

Bile duct obstruction