Stages and grades of bile duct cancer
The stage of bile duct cancer tells you about the size of the tumour and whether it has spread. The grade tells you how abnormal the cells look under the microscope. Your doctor uses this information to help them decide on what treatment you need.
There are different ways of staging bile duct cancer. Doctors usually use the number staging system and the TNM system. They may also use the Bismuth-Corlette staging system to stage a type of bile duct cancer called perihilar.
About bile duct cancer stages and grades
The stage of a cancer means how big it is and if it has spread. The grade means how abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope. Doctors usually use the number staging system and the TNM system to stage bile duct cancer.
Intrahepatic bile duct cancer stages
Intrahepatic bile duct cancer starts in the bile ducts in the liver. Doctors usually use the number or TNM staging systems to stage intrahepatic bile duct cancer.
Perihilar bile duct cancer stages
Perihilar bile duct cancer develops just outside the liver. Doctors usually use the number or TNM staging systems to stage intrahepatic bile duct cancer. They also use the Bismuth-Corlette classification.
Distal bile duct cancer stages
Distal bile duct cancer starts in the bile ducts near the pancreas and small bowel. Doctors usually use the number or TNM staging systems to stage distal bile duct cancer.
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