AMMF | The Cholangiocarcinoma Charity
Cholangiocarcinoma, (pronounced kol-an-gee-oh-car-sin-oh-ma) or bile duct cancer, is a primary liver cancer that arises within the biliary system. It can occur in the small bile ducts within the liver, the big branches in the centre of the liver (hilum) or in the main or common bile duct draining out of the liver.
Although or bile duct cancer, is considered rare, worldwide it is the second most common primary liver cancer. It is difficult to diagnose accurately and early, so by the time of diagnosis it is often too advanced for surgery – which is currently the only potential cure.
“Cholangiocarcinoma is a devastating cancer. It seems to be increasing and we don’t know why. It presents late in its course, is difficult to diagnose accurately and early, and most cases cannot be cured. However, there are several treatment options available. Clearly there is a great need for ongoing research to find out the causes of this disease so we can develop better diagnostic tests and more effective treatments.”
Fewer than 5% will survive one year from diagnosis and the incidence is increasing, and more worryingly we don’t know why. It’s difficult to diagnose clearly and accurately and most are diagnosed too late for potentially curative surgery and, for many, it is a devastating diagnosis with a poor outcome.
AMMF is dedicated to raising awareness, providing information to those who need it, either individually or via our informative website, and supporting research into the causes, better diagnostic tests and more effective treatments for this devastating disease.
The AMMF’s objectives are to support specialised research teams in their work to find the causes, methods of earlier diagnosis, and effective treatments for cholangiocarcinoma (CC).