Overview
Adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract is a type of cancer that starts in the cells lining the gallbladder or the bile ducts outside the liver. The gallbladder is a small organ under the liver that stores bile, a fluid that helps digest fats. The bile ducts are tubes that carry bile from the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine. When cancer develops in these areas, it is most often a type called adenocarcinoma, meaning it grows from gland-like cells. This cancer is sometimes called gallbladder cancer or bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma), depending on exactly where it starts. It may also be referred to as biliary tract cancer. This cancer often grows silently in its early stages, which means many people do not notice symptoms until the disease has advanced. Common symptoms include yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), pain in the upper right side of the belly, nausea, unexplained weight loss, and itchy skin. Because the gallbladder and bile ducts are located deep inside the body, tumors can grow quite large before causing noticeable problems. Treatment depends on how far the cancer has spread. Surgery to remove the tumor is the main option that can potentially cure the disease, but it is only possible in a minority of patients who are diagnosed early. For those with more advanced cancer, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapies may help slow the disease and manage symptoms. Research into new treatments, including immunotherapy and precision medicine, is ongoing and offering new hope for patients.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)Pain or discomfort in the upper right side of the abdomenNausea and vomitingUnexplained weight lossLoss of appetiteItchy skinDark-colored urinePale or greasy stoolsFeverBloating or a feeling of fullness in the bellyFatigue and low energyA lump or mass that can be felt in the upper abdomen
Multifactorial
Caused by a mix of several genes and environmental factors
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
7 eventsAarhus University Hospital
J-Pharma Co., Ltd. — PHASE3
Jazz Pharmaceuticals — PHASE3
Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
RenJi Hospital
University of Southern California — PHASE1
Nexavar: FDA approved
Treatment of patients with locally recurrent or metastatic, progressive, differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DCT) that is refractory to radioactive iodine treatment.
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract.
4 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Financial Resources
1 resourcesNexavar
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Nexavar — Contact Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Bile Omics for Diagnosing Indeterminate Biliary Strictures
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract
New recruiting trial: Efficacy and Safety of Zanidatamab With Standard-of-care Therapy Against Standard-of-care Therapy for Advanced HER2-positive Biliary Tract Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract
New recruiting trial: A Study to Select a Dose Regimen (Part A) and to Investigate Overall Survival (Part B) With Nanvuranlat Compared With Physician's Best Choice in Participants Aged 18 Years or Older With Biliary Tract Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What stage is my cancer, and what does that mean for my treatment options?,Has my tumor been tested for genetic mutations, and am I eligible for any targeted therapies or immunotherapy?,Is surgery an option for me, and if so, what would it involve?,What are the goals of my treatment — is it aimed at curing the cancer or managing it?,Are there any clinical trials I should consider?,What symptoms should prompt me to call you or go to the emergency room?,Should I see a genetic counselor to understand if my family members are at increased risk?
Common questions about Adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract
What is Adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract?
Adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract is a type of cancer that starts in the cells lining the gallbladder or the bile ducts outside the liver. The gallbladder is a small organ under the liver that stores bile, a fluid that helps digest fats. The bile ducts are tubes that carry bile from the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine. When cancer develops in these areas, it is most often a type called adenocarcinoma, meaning it grows from gland-like cells. This cancer is sometimes called gallbladder cancer or bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma), depending on exact
How is Adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract inherited?
Adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract typically begin?
Typical onset of Adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract?
Yes — 4 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract?
25 specialists and care centers treating Adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.
What treatment and support options exist for Adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract?
1 patient support program are currently tracked on UniteRare for Adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.