Understanding Cholangiocarcinoma: A Rare Cancer – World Cancer Day 2025
Understanding Cholangiocarcinoma: A Rare Cancer – World Cancer Day 2025 Dr Esra Hassan – Research Fellow in Cancer 4 th Feb 2025 It is World Cancer Day—a global initiative to raise awareness, improve education, and drive action on cancer. But this day also falls within Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month , a time dedicated to increasing recognition of bile duct cancer, one of the rarest and most aggressive cancers. Despite its severity, it remains under-recognised, often diagnosed too late for curative treatment. Let’s take a moment to understand cholangiocarcinoma, recognise its symptoms, and explore why early detection and research are critical. Awareness can save lives. What is Cholangiocarcinoma? Cholangiocarcinoma is a malignant tumour originating in the bile ducts, the small tubes that carry bile from the liver and gallbladder to the intestines. It accounts for approximately 3% of all gastrointestinal cancers and has an incidence rate of 1-2 cases per 100,000 pe...