World Cholangiocarcinoma Day Date in the current year: February 12, 2024

Cholangiocarcinoma is a malignant tumor of the bile ducts which drain bile from the liver into the small intestine. It is composed of mutated epithelial cells. Bile duct cancer is a relatively rare form of cancer, with an annual incidence of 1–2 cases per 100,000 people in the Western world. There is a higher prevalence of this form of cancer in the Asian region, which has been attributed to liver flukes (endemic parasites of the liver). Cholangiocarcinoma is slightly more common in men than in women, and it incidence increases with age.

The most common signs and symptoms of cholangiocarcinoma include abnormal liver function tests, abdominal pain, jaundice, weight loss, generalized itching, and fever. As the same symptoms accompany other liver conditions, bile duct cancer is hard to diagnose, especially taking into account that it may be almost asymptomatic in early stages. Therefore, many patients seek help only when the tumor becomes inoperable.

And herein lies the main problem with cholangiocarcinoma: this tumor is considered to be incurable and rapidly lethal unless it can be fully removed by surgery. World Cholangiocarcinoma Day was created to spread information about the disease and to emphasize the important of early diagnosis and research aimed at finding alternative therapies that would help to increase the life expectancy of patients.