Risk Factors and Prevention

A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of developing cancer. Some risk factors can be controlled, such as smoking, and some cannot be controlled, such as age and family history. Although risk factors can influence the development of cancer, most do not directly cause cancer. Some people with several risk factors never develop cancer, while others with no known risk factors do. However, knowing your risk factors and communicating them to your doctor may help you make more informed lifestyle and health-care choices.

The following factors may raise a person’s risk of developing bile duct cancer:

Previous disease or irritation of the bile duct. Inflammation of the bile duct can be caused by ulcerative colitis or stones similar to gallstones. PSC may also increase the risk. Other diseases, including choledochal cysts (an abnormality in which there is a cystic swelling of the part of the bile duct outside the liver, present at the time of birth), Caroli’s syndrome (an abnormality of the small bile ducts within the liver that increases a person’s risk of infection and stones, like gallstones, forming in the liver; present at the time of birth), and cirrhosis (liver disease) can cause scarring or chronic irritation that can lead to cancer. Infection with liver flukes that invade the bile duct can also increase the risk of bile duct cancer.

Age. Older adults are more likely to develop bile duct cancer.

Certain chemicals. Dioxins, nitrosamines, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may potentially cause bile duct cancer. In particular, people who work in rubber plants and automotive industries may be exposed to these chemicals.

Even though some people who have no risk factors develop bile duct cancer, there are ways to reduce your risk.

• Avoid exposure to hazardous chemicals. Even though thorium dioxide (a chemical associated with a high risk of developing bile duct cancer) has been banned from use, other hazardous chemicals are still available or present in the environment.
  
  
• Get a vaccination against hepatitis B, because chronic hepatitis B infection might increase the risk of cirrhosis and bile duct cancer.
  
  
• Avoid alcohol abuse, which can lead to cirrhosis.
  
  
• If traveling in parts of the world where liver flukes are common, drink only purified water and foods that have been thoroughly cooked.