Gallbladder and bile duct cancers

If you’re affected by gallbladder or bile duct cancer, you may have many questions about how it is diagnosed, treatment options, side effects and how to stay well. You can find trustworthy information about all aspects of your experience below.

Download PDF

What are gallbladder and bile duct cancers?

Learn what gallbladder and bile duct cancers are, what causes them, and who gets it.

Symptoms

Learn about the common symptoms of gallbladder and bile duct cancers and when to see your doctor.

Getting diagnosed

Find out about the tests for gallbladder and bile duct cancers, how it is diagnosed and staged, and who will provide your care.

Treating gallbladder and bile duct cancer

Learn about the main treatment options for gallbladder and bile duct cancers, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Managing side effects

Find out about the possible impacts of gallbladder and bile duct cancers and their treatment, and how to manage these.

Life after treatment

Learn about follow-up care, what happens if the cancer returns, and how to look after your physical and mental health.

Questions for your doctorAsking your doctor questions will help you make informed decisions. Here's a list of questions you may want to ask.

Diagnosis

What type of gallbladder and bile duct cancer do I have?
How far has the cancer spread? What stage of cancer do I have?
Have you treated this type of cancer before? If so, how many times? Is there another doctor who has more experience treating this type of cancer?

Treatment and side effects

What are the treatment options for me? What do you recommend and why?
What are the possible risks and side effects of my treatment? How will these be managed?
If an operation is recommended, how many times have you performed it?
How complex is the surgery and how long does the operation take?
How long will all treatment take? Will I have to stay in hospital?
Is this treatment covered by Medicare/private insurance? Will there be extra expenses?
Are there any complementary therapies that might help me?
Do you know of any support groups or support services I can use?

If you are thinking of taking part in a clinical trial, here are some questions you could ask:

What are the possible benefits and risks to me?
What is being tested and why?
How many people will be involved in this trial?
If I cannot get onto a clinical trial can I still pay for a drug that is currently in trial?

Podcast for people affected by cancer

Listen now

Need to talk?

Call 13 11 20 to talk to a health professional Or email us your questions.

This information was last updated in September 2025. See who reviewed this content.

Dr Corina Behrenbruch, Colorectal Surgeon, St Vincent’s Hospital Fitzroy, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and The University of Melbourne, VIC; Dr Prasad Cooray, Medical Oncologist and Clinical Lecturer – The University of Melbourne Department of Surgery, Austin Health, VIC; Prof Jacob George, The University of Sydney and Head, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Westmead Hospital and Western Sydney Local Health District, NSW; Dr Andrew Oar, Radiation Oncologist, Icon Cancer Centre, Gold Coast University Hospital, QLD; Chris Rivett, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Nicole Williams, HepatoPancreatoBiliary (HPB) Nurse Consultant, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, SA.

View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.