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What Is The Prognosis For Bile Duct Cancer?
My sister has been fighting bile duct cancer for 3+ years. She has been retaining fluid in her abdomen, which I believe is called ascites. She has been to the doctor and has had her abdomen drained twice, 5.1 liters and 6 liters respectively. She has lost a lot of weight, is fatigued, and seems very uncomfortable. She has recently had a home health nurse drain 1.0 liter (twice) from a drain in her abdomen and is on schedule to have it drained every other day. I m sure she is nearing the end, and was wondering how much longer she may have considering the fluid can not be drained fast enough. Thank you
posted on
Sat, 14 Jun 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 20 Nov 2014
Answered on
Fri, 21 Nov 2014
Last reviewed on
Thanks for your question on HCM.
Bile duct cancer most commonly involves liver. Almost 90% bile duct cancer metastatize to liver by the time of diagnosis.
And it start deteriorating liver function.
So synthetic functions of liver like albumin production decreased dramatically. This is the main reason for ascites in these kind of patients.
Another possibility is malignant spread in peritoneum.
So in both ways ascites can develop. And both carries worst prognosis.
Life expectancy with ascites in bile duct cancer patients is less than 1 year.
Bile duct cancer most commonly involves liver. Almost 90% bile duct cancer metastatize to liver by the time of diagnosis.
And it start deteriorating liver function.
So synthetic functions of liver like albumin production decreased dramatically. This is the main reason for ascites in these kind of patients.
Another possibility is malignant spread in peritoneum.
So in both ways ascites can develop. And both carries worst prognosis.
Life expectancy with ascites in bile duct cancer patients is less than 1 year.
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