The prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options depend on the following:

• The stage  of the cancer (whether it affects only the bile duct or has spread to other places in the body).
• Whether the tumor can be completely removed by surgery.
• Whether the tumor is in the upper or lower part of the duct.
• Whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has recurred  (come back).

Treatment options may also depend on the symptoms caused by the tumor. Extrahepatic bile duct cancer is usually found after it has spread and can rarely be removed completely by surgery. Palliative therapy may relieve symptoms and improve the patient’s quality of life.

Does stress cause cancer?

Psychological stress can have a number of different effects on the body and its function, including effects on the immune response. Stress can worsen the symptoms of most medical conditions. Nevertheless, at this time there is little proof that stress alone is actually a cause of medical problems or cancer. Cancer is a complex disease that results from a combination of hereditary (inherited) and environmental factors.

Although some epidemiologic studies have suggested an association between lifestyle stress and cancer, most studies fail to confirm this association. Stress is known to affect the functioning of the immune system, and it is known that compromised immune function may play a role in the development of cancers. However, there has been no scientific proof that stress can increase cancer risk.

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