How prevalent is bile duct cancer?
What are the symptoms?
Can bile duct cancer be detected early?
What are the risk factors?
If any medical treatments are ordered by my doctor, will my insurance cover them?
Who is part of the treatment team?

How prevalent is bile duct cancer?

Bile duct cancer is a relatively rare cancer in the United States that affects more men than women.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of bile duct cancer can be subtle and go unnoticed. They include:

• Abdominal pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Itching
• Jaundice

Can bile duct cancer be detected early?

There are currently no screening tests or bile duct cancer. 

What are the risk factors?

People with chronic GI conditions-such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, polyps or a family history of GI cancer have a higher risk of developing bile duct cancer.

If any medical treatments are ordered by my doctor, will my insurance cover them?

Depending on the type of coverage, most commercial insurance carriers will pay the major share of the cost. You should always consult your insurance company to determine proper coverage.

Who is part of the treatment team?

The team at Advocate Christ Medical Center is staffed by a specially trained team of gastroenterologist, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, genetics counselors and nurses, who are dedicated to caring for patients with gastrointestinal cancer. You will remain under the care of your primary care physician while you are treated by the specialists at Christ Medical Center. To ensure that your physician is kept up-to-date, our team will provide ongoing reports on the progress you have made.

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