Best Doctors in India for Cholangiocarcinoma Treatment
- Gastroenterologist and GI Medicine Specialist, Chennai, India
- Over 18 years’ experience
- Apollo Hospitals Greams Road
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Preethi M is one of the best gastroenterologists in India, with 18 years of expertise.
- Dr. Preethi received many awards for her contribution to the field.
- She offers consultation for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Hemorrhoids, Endoscopy, female problems, and other gastrointestinal issues.
- Gastroenterologist and GI Medicine Specialist, Chennai, India
- Over 23 years’ experience
- Apollo Hospitals Greams Road
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Ubal Dhus is a GI specialist doctor in South India who is proficiently managing Gastroenterological disorders for the past 23 years.
- He acquired his medical degree from Madras University, Chennai, and served people with Hemorrhoids Treatment, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Treatment.
- Gastroenterologist, Gurugram, India
- Over 7 years’ experience
- Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Abhinandan Mishra is one of the young Gastroenterology doctors in Gurugram who is particularly interested in inflammatory bowel disease treatment.
- Dr. Abhinandan Mishra offers Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography, Ascites tap, Endoscopy, Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy, Capsule Endoscopy, Esophageal Manometry, Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography, etc.
- Gastroenterologist, Gurugram, India
- Over 15 years’ experience
- Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Kapil Jamwal is a renowned GI practitioner in Gurugram with an extensive experience in digestive and liver disease.
- The specialist offers treatment for Hepatitis B, Jaundice, Hepatitis C, Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome, Acute Pancreatitis, Liver Diseases, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
- Gastroenterologist, Gurugram, India
- Over 18 years’ experience
- Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Rajesh Padhan is a renowned Gastroenterologist in Gurugram with an extensive experience of more than 18 years in the field.
- He is skilled in carrying out various endoscopy procedures such as Colonoscopy, Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic ultrasound, upper GI endoscopy, etc.
- Top Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist | Max Hospital, Saket, New Delhi, India
- 28+ Years Experience
- Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, New Delhi
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Kaushal Madan is a renowned Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist in India with over 28 years of experience.
- He specializes in diagnosing and treating various digestive system disorders, including liver cancer, liver cirrhosis, fatty liver, and hepatitis B and C.
- Dr. Madan provides comprehensive care to liver transplant recipients, offering both pre- and post-operative support.
- He currently serves as the Director and Head of Clinical Hepatology Department at Max Super Speciality Hospital in New Delhi.
- Gastroenterology, Medanta - The Medicity, New Delhi, India
- 40+ Years Experience
- Medanta-The Medicity, Gurgaon
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Randhir Sud is a preeminent figure in the field of gastroenterology, renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to gastrointestinal endoscopy and therapeutic interventions.
- As the Chairman of the Gastroenterology department at Medanta in Gurugram, Dr. Sud has played a pivotal role in advancing the field of gastroenterology in India.
- Dr. Sud is credited with revolutionizing the practice of gastrointestinal endoscopy in India. He has been instrumental in establishing and integrating advanced GI endoscopic therapy into clinical practice through extensive training programs and live workshops.
Best Hospitals in India for Cholangiocarcinoma Treatment
Hospital Highlights:
- Apollo Hospitals is a private healthcare group in India, with its headquarters based in Chennai. Established in 1983 by Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, the group offers a wide range of medical treatments and services across various specialties.
- It is renowned for emphasizing innovation and utilizing cutting-edge medical technologies into patient treatment.
- Known as India’s first corporate hospital, Apollo Hospitals is often credited for pioneering the private healthcare revolution in the country.
- With clinics and hospitals located all throughout India, Apollo Hospitals is a nationwide healthcare organization. Its presence can also be found in foreign countries.
- Preventive health examinations, medical and surgical treatment, and diagnostic centres are just a few of the services that the Apollo group provides.
- The group has several centres of expertise, including Cardiac Sciences, Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Emergency Care, Cancer Care, and Organ Transplantation.
- City: Chennai, India
Hospital Highlights:
- RIMC is a multi-specialty hospital in a sprawling area of 36 acres located in Chromepet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
- The facility has 450 beds including 130 critical care beds, 9 operating rooms, modern reference laboratories and radiology services, and is conveniently located near road, rail and air transportation.
- RIMC is led and managed by world-renowned physicians committed to healthcare.
- RIMC offers the broadest range of clinical care, education, and research. The hospital offers state-of-the-art technology and modern treatment facilities designed to provide health care at an affordable cost.
- Rela Institute is driven by patient needs, comfort and confidence.
- City: New Delhi, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Fortis Hospital in Shalimar Bagh is a multi-super specialty hospital that strives to provide world-class patient care by leaving no stone unturned.
- Fortis, Shalimar Bagh, with 262 beds and a 7.34-acre footprint, provides the best level of medical care through its team of doctors, nurses, technicians, and management professionals.
- City: Bengaluru, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Established in 2007, the Apollo Hospitals Bangalore is a 300-bed multispecialty hospital situated in Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore.
- Equipped with the state-of-the-art technology, it is a leading hospital dedicated to providing healthcare needs to patients with compassion and expertise.
- It is the first hospital to have completed the highest number of Robot Assisted Heart Surgeries in India.
- Over the years, it has successfully conducted some of the rarest medical procedures such as spinal angiolipoma excision, autologous chondrocyte implantations, and tibial tuberosity shift with MPSL reconstruction.
- The Apollo Hospitals Bangalore has the reputation of performing the greatest series of airway stents in the country.
- Additionally, the hospital is known for providing comprehensive treatment in specialties such as gastroenterology, urology, gynecology, oncology, colorectal surgery, etc.
- The “The Minimal Access Surgery Centre” (MASC), one of Apollo Hospitals, Bangalore’s premier Centres of Excellence, is devoted to the use of minimally invasive surgical procedures.
- In 2013, THE WEEK-A C Nielsen, Best Hospital Survey ranked Apollo Hospitals Bangalore as the 2nd best multi-speciality hospital in Bangalore.
- City: Mumbai, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Gleneagles Global Hospital The 450-bed facility comprises of 17-stories, housing state-of-the-art infrastructure, and advanced medical care facilities.
- The hospital offers end-to-end clinical, surgical, and diagnostic services. It is equipped with a team of eminent medical professionals aided by qualified nurses and medical staff
- The Hospital offers advanced Endoscopic procedures, Hepatobiliary and Liver Surgeries, Surgical and Medical Gastroenterology, Bariatric Surgery, and Robotic surgery.
- The hospital is a center of excellence for Orthopedics, Joint Replacement, Knee Replacement, and Hip Replacement surgery.
- City: Hyderabad, India
Hospital Highlights:
- CARE Hospitals were established in the year 2000, by CARE Group.
- The multispecialty hospital has 435 beds, including 120 critical care beds, with an annual inflow of 180000 outpatients and 16,000 in-patients.
- The hospital provides specialty medical services in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Nephrology, and Urology.
- The hospital has the first dual source, 128 slice CT scanner (for high precision cardiac imaging) – the first of its kind in south India.
- The hospital offers a wide range of accommodation facilities for the convenience of its varied patient base, ranging from general wards to super deluxe rooms.
- City: Mumbai, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Fortis Hospital in Mulund is a 315-bed multi-speciality tertiary care hospital with five JCI accreditations that offers a wide variety of diagnostic and treatment services. The Fortis Hospital in Mulund delivers patient-centred treatment with cutting-edge technology, highly skilled and experienced surgeons, and paramedical staff.
- This institution houses Maharashtra’s largest multi-organ transplant centre. It is also the first heart transplant centre in western India to conduct 100 or more consecutive heart transplants in under four years. It is the only hospital in the city to have multi-organ transplants and has handled the youngest patient for angioplasty. Fortis Hospital Mulund now boasts the first advanced surgical robot in central Mumbai.
- Cardiology and heart surgery, urology, nephrology, neurosciences, orthopaedics, digestive care, emergency and critical care, and maternity care are among the services provided by the hospital.
- City: New Delhi, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Manipal Hospitals, Dwarka, is a super-specialty hospital in Dwarka, New Delhi, which is a part of Manipal Hospitals Group.
- The hospital aims to provide the best treatment on par with international standards at a fraction of the cost.
- Equipped with 380 beds, the hospital is also one of the new age hospitals which are equipped fully with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge technology as well as the latest and advanced clinical practices. The hospital also has 13 modular Operation theatres with 118 beds which are solely meant for critical care.
- The hospital comprises internationally acclaimed doctors and highly professional and experienced hospital and medical staff who are able to provide preventive, therapeutic, and diagnostic services all under one roof.
- City: Chennai, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Located in Chennai, India, MGM Healthcare is a top multispecialty hospital that provides all medical services under one roof.
- Since its founding in 2019, MGM Healthcare has quickly become a leading national referral centre, creating several innovative flagship initiatives.
- MGM Healthcare combines next-generation medical and digital technologies to provide better patient results.
- With 12 centres of excellence, more than 400 inpatient beds, 100 intensive care unit beds, and 24/7 emergency care, MGM Healthcare leaves no chance in redefining the patient experience in Chennai.
- MGM Healthcare boasts 250+ expert doctors across 30+ departments, including Cardiology, Pulmonology, Neurology, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and more.
- They house 12 specialized Centres of Excellence, including Neurosciences, Orthopaedics, and Multi-Organ Transplantation.
- Their team of doctors, nurses, and paramedics works together to give every patient individualized treatment.
Hospital Highlights:
- Lilavati Hospital & Research Centre is India’s premier multi-speciality tertiary care hospital and has been recognised as a global medical excellence centre.
- Lilavati Hospital & Research Centre has built an unrivalled level of trust with its patients over the years, thanks to a solid foundation that comprises cutting-edge facilities, the best medical competence, research, education, and charity endeavours.
- The hospital is quite proud of the fact that it now serves patients from all kinds of backgrounds, not just from the United States but from all around the world.
- The hospital has a total of 323 beds, one of the largest Intensive Care Units (ICUs), 12 Operation Theatres with modern amenities, over 300 consultants, and almost 1,800 personnel.
Cholangiocarcinoma
Cholangiocarcinoma, which is also known as bile duct cancer, is a cancer that forms in the slender tubes or bile ducts that carry the fluid bile, which helps the body digest fat. Bile ducts connect the liver to the gallbladder as well as to the small intestine. This condition, which is generally uncommon, occurs mostly in people who are over the age of 50. However, it can even appear in younger people.
Unfortunately, cholangiocarcinoma is one of the types of tumor that is difficult to treat.
Types
Cholangiocarcinoma is of three main types:
- Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma- This type occurs in the parts of the bile ducts that are within the liver and may also be classified as a type of liver cancer.
- Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma- This occurs in the bile ducts just outside of one’s liver. This type is also known as perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.
- Distal Cholangiocarcinoma- This type can occur in the portion of the bile duct which is nearest to the small intestine.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of this condition can include the following:
- Yellowing of your skin as well as the white portion of your eyes, i.e. jaundice
- White-colored stool
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Intensely itchy skin
- Unintended weight loss
See your doctor if you continue to have persistent fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, or any such signs and symptoms that you are finding bothersome. He/she may refer you to a specialist in digestive diseases i.e. a gastroenterologist.
Causes & risk factors
Cholangiocarcinoma generally occurs when the cells in the bile ducts develop changes in their DNA. Your DNA is the material that provides instructions for every chemical process in the body. DNA mutations can change the instruction. One result is that cells might begin to grow out of control, and eventually form a tumor i.e. a mass of cancerous cells.
It is not yet clear what exactly leads to the genetic mutations leading to cancer.
Some of the factors that can increase the risk of cholangiocarcinoma include:
- Chronic liver disease- Scarring of the liver which can be caused by a history of the chronic liver disease also increases the risk of cholangiocarcinoma.
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis- This disease can cause hardening and scarring of the bile ducts.
- Bile duct problems present at birth- People who are born with a choledochal cyst, which can lead to dilated and irregular bile ducts, have an increased risk of having cholangiocarcinoma.
- A liver parasite- In certain areas of Southeast Asia, cholangiocarcinoma is associated with liver fluke infection. This can occur if one eats raw or undercooked fish.
- Smoking- Smoking is also associated with an increased risk of cholangiocarcinoma.
- Older age- Cholangiocarcinoma generally occurs among adults who are over the age of 50.
Cholangiocarcinoma is not inherited but according to studies blood relatives of a person with cholangiocarcinoma might have an increased risk of developing cancer compared to the general population. However, most of the people suffering from this condition do not have any family history of the disease.
Diagnosis
Liver function tests
Tumor marker test
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
Imaging tests
Biopsy
Biopsy is a procedure which involves removing a small sample of tissue for examination under a microscope.
If any suspicious area is located near where your bile duct joins the small intestine, your doctor might obtain a biopsy sample during ERCP. If the suspicious area is located within or near the liver, your doctor will need to obtain the tissue sample by inserting a long needle through your skin to the affected area. This is also known as fine-needle aspiration. He/she might use an imaging test as well, such as endoscopic ultrasound or CT scan, as it can help guide the needle to the area precisely.
How your doctor chooses to perform the biopsy will very likely influence which treatment options are going to be available to you later. For example, if your doctor uses y fine-needle aspiration for performing the biopsy, you will not be legible for liver transplantation.
Treating cholangiocarcinoma is difficult and therefore you should not hesitate to ask about your doctor’s experience with diagnosing this condition. If you have any doubts, you can get a second opinion.
Once your doctor confirms a diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma, he/she is going to try to determine the extent or the stage of the cancer. This generally involves additional imaging tests. Knowing the stage of the cancer is also going to help in choosing the treatment option.
Treatments
Surgery
Chemotherapy
Radiation therapy
Liver transplant
Surgery that involves removing a liver and replacing it with one from a donor is known as a liver transplant. This is an option in certain cases for people with hilar cholangiocarcinoma. For many, a liver transplant is generally a cure for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. However, there is a risk that the cancer might recur after the transplant.
Photodynamic therapy
In this method, a light-sensitive chemical is injected into a vein and it accumulates in the fast-growing cancer cells. Laser light which is directed at the cancer causes a chemical reaction in the cancer cells and thus causes them to die. Typically, multiple treatments are required. Photodynamic therapy can help in relieving your symptoms, and it may also slow the growth of cancer. After the treatments, you will need to avoid exposure to the sun.
Prevention
There’s no way in which you can entirely prevent cholangiocarcinoma.
However, taking certain steps can reduce the risk of the disease.
Stop smoking- Smoking is linked to an increased risk of this condition. If you smoke, it is best to stop. If you’ve tried to quit in the past and haven’t been successful, you can discuss this with your doctor.
Reduce your risk of liver disease- Chronic liver disease is also associated with an increased risk of cholangiocarcinoma. Some causes of liver disease are not preventable. But you should take proper care of your liver.
For example, to reduce your risk of liver inflammation, avoid alcohol or drink in moderation. It is best to maintain a healthy weight. When working with chemicals, it is also important to follow the safety instructions on the container.