What is the cause of bile duct cancer

The causes of bile duct cancer are very complex. Although it is not easy to grasp, research has found that it is related to dietary structure and gallstones. Understanding the causes of bile duct cancer will help us actively eliminate the pathogenic factors of bile duct cancer in our lives. So, what are the causes of bile duct cancer? Let's take a look.

Causes of bile duct cancer:

1. Primary sclerosing cholangitis

In the West, PSC is a very common cause. It is reported that 8-40% of bile duct cancers have PSC. The lifetime risk of bile duct cancer in patients with PSC is 9%-23%. However, the risk of developing bile duct cancer is not related to the duration of PSC. Some people believe that the increased risk of bile duct cancer in patients with PSC is due to the continued proliferation of chronic inflammation of the epithelium accompanied by the production of endogenous mutagens in the bile. Cholestasis further increases the risk of bile duct cancer.

2. Liver fluke infection

A large number of experimental and epidemiological data have shown that liver fluke infection, especially Opisthorchis civetus, has been identified as a cause of cholangiocarcinoma. Opisthorchis civetus infection is endemic in Thailand, Laos, and northern Malaysia, where the incidence of cholangiocarcinoma is high. In particular, Thailand has the highest incidence of cholangiocarcinoma in the world (87 per 100,000 people), with an estimated 70,000 people suffering from opisthorchiasis. In addition, local carcinogenic factors such as increased human nitrite complexes caused by salted fish are believed to have a synergistic effect on Opisthorchis civetus infection.

3. Fibrotic polycystic liver disease

Congenital malformations of the biliary system, including Caroli's disease, congenital hepatic fibrosis, and common bile duct cysts (cystic dilatation of the bile duct), can also cause cholangiocarcinoma. Fortunately, these conditions are rare. The overall incidence of cholangiocarcinoma in patients with untreated common bile duct cysts is 28%. The specific mechanism of occurrence is still unclear, but it may be related to bile stasis, chronic inflammation caused by pancreatic reflux, and activation of bile acid. Bile duct adenomas and biliary papilloma are also related to the occurrence of cholangiocarcinoma.

The above is an introduction to the causes of bile duct cancer. I hope it will be helpful to you.