Skip to main content

Causes of bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma)

Who is more likely to get bile duct cancer

Anyone can get bile duct cancer. It's not always clear what causes it.

You might be more likely to get it if you:

  • are over the age of 65
  • have certain medical conditions, such as abnormal bile ducts, long term swelling in the bowel (ulcerative colitis) or bile ducts, a parasite in the liver (liver flukes), bile duct stones and liver cirrhosis
Information:

It's important to get any symptoms of bile duct cancer checked by a GP.

Anyone can get bile duct cancer, even if you do not think you have a higher chance of getting it.

Page last reviewed: 26 June 2023
Next review due: 26 June 2026