Staging systems provide doctors with a common language for describing tumors. After cancer is first diagnosed, a series of tests are used to investigate the extent of the cancer and to see whether it has spread to other parts of the body from where it started. Staging is a way of recording the size and growth of a cancer, and determining the plan for treatment. By understanding the stage of their cancer, patients can make informed decisions about their treatment.
- Stage 0. Cholangiocarcinomas, or bile duct cancers, only involve the lining of the bile duct and have not spread to lymph nodes or other organs. Also called carcinoma in situ.
- Stage I. One of the following:
- IA. Cancer is found in the bile duct only.
- IB. Cancer has spread through the wall of the bile duct.
- Stage II. One of the following:
- IIA. Cancer has spread to the liver, gallbladder, pancreas and/or the right or left branch of the hepatic artery or the right or left branch of the portal vein.
- IIB. Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes and is found in the bile duct, has spread through the wall of the bile duct, or has spread to the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and/or right or left branches of the hepatic artery or portal vein.
- Stage III. Cancer that has spread and one of the following
- To the main portal vein or to both the right and left branches of the portal vein.
- To the hepatic artery.
- To other nearby organs and tissues.
- Stage IV. Tumor that has spread to other distant organs.
A physician may also classify the disease as one of the following:
- Local. The bile duct cancer lies within the bile duct and can be completely removed surgically. There is no evidence of any spread to areas outside of the bile duct.
- Locally advanced. The cancer is still confined to the area around the bile duct, but does affect nearby organs, arteries, and/or veins. There is no evidence of spread to any distant areas of the body.
- Metastatic. The tumor has spread beyond the area of the bile duct to reach distant areas of the body. It is unlikely that surgery can remove the cancer.