Bile duct cancer
Types of treatment Save this page
The main types of treatment for bile duct cancer are:
- surgery
- radiation therapy (radiotherapy)
- chemotherapy
- targeted therapy – may be available through clinical trials
- immunotherapy – may be available through clinical trials.
Most people with cancer have one or more of these treatments. Not all treatments are suitable for everyone with bile duct/gallbladder cancer.
Some people also have palliative care to manage symptoms or take part in clinical trials which test new cancer care options.
Choose the option that best suits your situation
The type of surgery you have depends on your cancer.
Radiation therapy is a way of treating cancers using X-rays or other types of radiation.
Chemotherapy, also known as chemo, is a way of treating cancer using drugs.
Targeted therapy uses drugs that affect specific cells in some cancers.
Immunotherapy helps the body’s immune system to fight cancer.
Palliative care deals with managing symptoms and improving quality of life.
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