Surviving Cholangiocarcinoma with Early Detection and Treatment: A 56-Year-Old Man’s Journey

A 56-year-old man in Hanoi experienced persistent pain in the right lower quadrant, accompanied by jaundice, dark urine, and discolored stools. For several days, he visited various doctors before finally being diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma with liver metastases.

The patient had been experiencing unusual symptoms for the past four months, including weight loss. After undergoing a series of tests at Bach Mai Hospital, doctors identified biliary obstruction due to a tumor in the lower part of the common bile duct. They recommended laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy and biliary-enteric anastomosis as a surgical option to remove the tumor.

However, after six cycles of intravenous infusion and chemotherapy at the Nuclear Medicine and Oncology Center, Dr. Pham Cam Phuong shared that the patient’s surgical results showed that cholangiocarcinoma had invaded into the pancreas, duodenum, and liver due to liver metastasis. Despite this revelation, the patient’s tumor markers decreased to normal levels following further treatment. CT scans also revealed no tumors in the liver and abdomen. The patient is currently undergoing continued treatment but is showing significant improvement in his health.

Cholangiocarcinoma is a type of cancer that originates from epithelial cells in the biliary tract. It can spread to various parts of the body if left untreated or if not detected early on. Symptoms such as jaundice, itchy skin, vomiting, fatigue, abdominal pain, fever, night sweats, and weight loss may not be apparent in the early stages of cholangiocarcinoma but can become more severe as time goes on. Diagnosing cholangiocarcinoma early can be challenging but techniques such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and biopsy can help with diagnosis and treatment planning.

Individuals at high risk for cholangiocarcinoma should undergo regular health check-ups to prevent its occurrence. Early detection and treatment are critical in managing this disease effectively.

In conclusion, cholangiocarcinoma is a serious cancer that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment when detected late stage symptoms like jaundice or dark urine should not be ignored but must be reported immediately to healthcare providers for proper evaluation and management plan development.

It’s important for individuals over 50 years old who smoke or have been exposed to toxic substances to take extra precautions by having regular health check-ups done by their healthcare providers.