Cholangiocarcinoma facts for kids

Cholangiocarcinoma, often called bile duct cancer, is a type of cancer. It starts in the bile ducts, which are small tubes inside your body. These tubes carry a special liquid called bile from your liver to your small intestine. Bile helps your body digest the food you eat.

This cancer happens when some cells in the bile ducts change and grow in a way they shouldn't. These changed cells are called mutated cells. They can form a lump or mass. Other cancers that affect similar parts of the body include pancreatic cancer and gallbladder cancer.

What is Cancer?

Cancer is a disease where some cells in the body grow out of control. Normally, cells grow, divide, and die in an organized way. This helps keep your body healthy. But sometimes, cells don't follow these rules. They keep growing and dividing when they shouldn't.

How Cancer Starts

Cancer begins when changes happen in a cell's DNA. DNA is like the instruction manual for a cell. These changes are called mutations. Mutations can make a cell ignore the signals that tell it to stop growing.

Cancer Cells and Tumors

When mutated cells keep growing, they can form a mass called a tumor. Not all tumors are cancer. Some are benign, meaning they are not harmful. But cancerous tumors are malignant. This means they can spread to other parts of the body.

The Bile Ducts

Your liver makes bile, a greenish-yellow liquid. Bile helps break down fats from your food. The bile ducts are like a network of pipes that carry this bile. They go from your liver to your small intestine.

Why Bile Ducts are Important

Bile ducts are a key part of your digestive system. Without them, your body would struggle to digest fats properly. When cancer affects these ducts, it can block the flow of bile. This can cause problems with digestion and other health issues.

Types of Bile Duct Cancer

Bile duct cancer can start in different parts of the bile duct system.

• Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: This type starts in the bile ducts inside the liver.
• Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: This type starts in the bile ducts outside the liver. This is the most common type.

Images for kids

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  Life cycle of Clonorchis sinensis, a liver fluke that can be linked to cholangiocarcinoma.

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  A close-up view of cholangiocarcinoma cells (right side). Normal liver cells are on the left.

See also

In Spanish: Colangiocarcinoma para niños