Overview
Adenocarcinoma of the liver and intrahepatic biliary tract is a type of cancer that starts in the glandular cells lining the bile ducts inside the liver. It is also commonly called intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) or bile duct cancer. This is different from the more common liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma, which starts in the main liver cells. In ICC, cancer cells grow in the small tubes (bile ducts) that carry bile within the liver itself. This cancer affects the liver's ability to process waste, produce bile for digestion, and filter toxins from the blood. As the tumor grows, it can block bile flow, damage liver tissue, and spread to nearby lymph nodes or other organs. Many people do not notice symptoms in the early stages, which makes it harder to catch early. Common symptoms include yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), belly pain, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue. Treatment options include surgery to remove the tumor, chemotherapy, targeted therapy drugs, and in some cases immunotherapy. The treatment plan depends on how far the cancer has spread and the patient's overall health. Research into new treatments is ongoing, and some newer targeted therapies have shown promise for specific genetic subtypes of this cancer.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)Dark-colored urinePale or clay-colored stoolsItchy skinPain or discomfort in the upper right side of the bellyUnexplained weight lossLoss of appetiteFeeling very tired or weakFeverNauseaSwollen belly due to fluid buildup (ascites)Night sweats
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
2 eventsNational Cancer Institute (NCI) — PHASE2
National Cancer Institute (NCI) — PHASE2
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Adenocarcinoma of the liver and intrahepatic biliary tract.
2 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Rare Disease Specialist
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
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Adenocarcinoma of the liver and intrahepatic biliary tract.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Adenocarcinoma of the liver and intrahepatic biliary tract.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Adenocarcinoma of the liver and intrahepatic biliary tract
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: PDS01ADC in Combination With Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump (HAIP) and Systemic Therapy for Subjects With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer, Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma, or Metastatic Adrenocortical Carcinoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Adenocarcinoma of the liver and intrahepatic 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.Has my tumor been tested for genetic mutations like FGFR2, IDH1, or NTRK fusions, and do the results change my treatment options?,Is surgery or liver transplant an option for me, and what would make me eligible?,What is the goal of my treatment — to cure the cancer or to control it and manage symptoms?,Are there any clinical trials I might qualify for?,What side effects should I expect from my treatment, and how will they be managed?,Should I or my family members be tested for any hereditary cancer syndromes?,What support services are available to help me and my family cope with this diagnosis?
Common questions about Adenocarcinoma of the liver and intrahepatic biliary tract
What is Adenocarcinoma of the liver and intrahepatic biliary tract?
Adenocarcinoma of the liver and intrahepatic biliary tract is a type of cancer that starts in the glandular cells lining the bile ducts inside the liver. It is also commonly called intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) or bile duct cancer. This is different from the more common liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma, which starts in the main liver cells. In ICC, cancer cells grow in the small tubes (bile ducts) that carry bile within the liver itself. This cancer affects the liver's ability to process waste, produce bile for digestion, and filter toxins from the blood. As the tumor grow
How is Adenocarcinoma of the liver and intrahepatic biliary tract inherited?
Adenocarcinoma of the liver and intrahepatic biliary tract follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Adenocarcinoma of the liver and intrahepatic biliary tract typically begin?
Typical onset of Adenocarcinoma of the liver and intrahepatic biliary tract is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Adenocarcinoma of the liver and intrahepatic biliary tract?
Yes — 2 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Adenocarcinoma of the liver and intrahepatic 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 liver and intrahepatic biliary tract?
4 specialists and care centers treating Adenocarcinoma of the liver and intrahepatic biliary tract are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.