What are the Signs of Cholangiocarcinoma?
The majority of the symptoms from cholangiocarcinoma arise from obstruction of the biliary tree by the tumor. Symptoms include painless jaundice and abdominal pain, particularly in the right upper portion of the abdomen. Pruritis, or itching, commonly occurs with jaundice as well as weight loss. Fever can also be a presenting sign due to infection of the biliary tree (cholangitis). People may also notice that their stool appears gray or clay colored and that their urine appears darker. Other signs that may be found during physical examination include enlargement of the liver, also known as hepatomegaly. Less commonly, a mass can be felt in the right upper part of the abdomen in the area of the liver. Rarely, because the tumor can block the bile ducts, the gallbladder can be enlarged and felt during examination.
