Treating Hepatobiliary Cancers

Community Health Network's board-certified hepatobiliary surgery specialists have more than 20 years of experience treating liver, gallbladder, bile duct and pancreatic cancers and related diseases. Our cancer experts are Community Health Network MD Anderson Cancer Center participating providers, offering patients access to innovative cancer treatments close to home in Central Indiana.

Learn more about our specialists: 

To make an appointment for hepatobiliary cancer treatment or other needs, please call our office at 317-621-3970 or call Community's oncology scheduling specialists at 317-621-2627.

What Are Hepatobiliary Cancers?

The hepatobiliary (HPB) system of the human body includes your liver, gall bladder and bile ducts. Because the pancreas is so closely connected to these organs, it is often treated by the same specialist teams. Cancers can affect all the organs in the HPB system. Learn more about these cancers below.

Liver Cancer

The liver is the largest organ inside the body, located in the upper right side of the abdomen below the right lung. It removes toxins and waste from the body and produces bile to help with digestion.

Primary liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, with more than 42,340 new cases expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2026.

What Is My Risk of Developing Liver Cancer?

While anyone can develop liver cancer, certain medical conditions and lifestyle factors can significantly elevate your risk:

  • Medical Risk Factors: Chronic liver diseases—such as cirrhosis, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C—obesity, high alcohol intake, and inherited metabolic diseases.
  • Gender: Primary liver cancer is nearly three times as common in men than women.
  • Geography: It is substantially more prevalent in regions of the world where hepatitis B infections are widespread (such as sub-Saharan Africa).

What Are the Symptoms of Liver Cancer?

In its early stages, liver cancer may not cause noticeable warning signs. As the tumor grows, common symptoms include:

  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
  • Upper abdominal swelling, pain, or a hard lump below the ribs
  • Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
  • Severe, persistent tiredness or weakness

How Can I Prevent Liver Cancer?

Living a healthy lifestyle can help reduce your risk of developing liver cancer:

  • Healthy Habits: Eat nutritious foods, manage your weight, reduce alcohol consumption, and quit smoking.
  • Medical Prevention: Get vaccinated for Hepatitis B and seek treatment for Hepatitis C.
  • Note: After a liver cancer diagnosis, the goal shifts to keeping the remaining liver tissue as healthy as possible through tailored diet and lifestyle adjustments.

Can Liver Cancer Be Treated and Cured?

Yes, if caught early, liver cancer is treatable and potentially curable. Your specialized care team will customize a plan based on your overall liver health and the stage of the disease, which may include:

  • Surgery: To remove the tumor (partial hepatectomy) or a complete liver transplant.
  • Ablation & Embolization: Minimally invasive techniques used to destroy tumor cells or block their blood supply.
  • Radiation Therapy: Utilizing targeted high-energy beams to shrink or destroy cancer cells.
  • Targeted Immunotherapy & Chemotherapy: Advanced systemic medications designed to help your immune system fight the cancer or stop cells from dividing.
Gallbladder Cancer

Gallbladder cancer is a relatively rare disease. The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located below the liver, behind the ribs. Its primary function is to store and release bile produced by the liver to assist with digestion.

While it plays a role in your digestive system, the gallbladder is not an essential organ—patients can continue to live a full, healthy life if it is removed.

What is My Risk of Developing Gallbladder Cancer?

While the exact cause isn't always known, certain demographic trends and health conditions can elevate your risk:

  • Age: It typically affects older adults, most frequently striking individuals aged 70 and above.
  • Demographics: Higher incidence rates are statistically observed among Mexican Americans, southwestern Native Americans, and individuals from specific South American nations (particularly Chile).
  • Medical Risk Factors: A history of gallstones, chronic gallbladder inflammation, obesity, polyps, and a family history of the disease all increase likelihood.

Common Symptoms of Gallbladder Cancer

In its early stages, gallbladder cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms. As it progresses, patients might experience:

  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
  • Abdominal pain, particularly in the upper right side
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Unexplained weight loss or bloating

Treatment Options

If you are diagnosed, your multidisciplinary care team will build a personalized plan tailored to your specific stage. Treatment for gallbladder cancer typically includes one or a combination of the following:

  • Surgery: To remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) and potentially surrounding tissues or lymph nodes.
  • Radiation Therapy: Using high-energy beams to target and destroy cancer cells.
  • Chemotherapy: Powerful medications designed to stop the growth of cancer cells throughout the body.
Bile Duct Cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma)

Bile duct cancer, also known clinically as cholangiocarcinoma, is a rare disease that forms in the slender tubes that carry the digestive fluid bile from your liver and gallbladder into the small intestine.

Who Is at Risk for Bile Duct Cancer?

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately  8,000 people in the United States develop bile duct cancer each year.

  • Age: It most commonly diagnosed in older adults, typically those over the age of 65.
  • Geography: While relatively rare in the U.S., incidence rates are significantly higher in parts of Asia and the Middle East.
  • Medical Risk Factors: Chronic inflammation of the bile ducts or liver increases risk. Specific conditions include ulcerative colitis, bile duct stones, choledochal cysts, diabetes, and smoking.

Common Symptoms of Bile Duct Cancer

Because bile ducts are small, even a tiny tumor can block the flow of bile, often causing noticeable symptoms earlier than some other hepatobiliary cancers:

  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
  • Intense skin itching (pruritus)
  • Light-colored or clay-colored stools
  • Dark urine
  • Abdominal pain and unexplained fever

Treatment Options

Treating bile duct cancer requires a highly coordinated, multidisciplinary approach. Depending on the location and stage of the tumor, your care team may recommend:

  • Surgery: To remove the affected bile ducts and, if necessary, portions of the liver or pancreas.
  • Radiation Therapy: Utilizing precise, targeted energy beams to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors.
  • Chemotherapy: Systemic medications used to stop cancer cells from growing or dividing.
Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer begins in the tissues of your pancreas—an organ located horizontally behind the lower part of your stomach. The pancreas plays a vital role in your health by secreting enzymes that aid digestion and producing hormones that help manage your blood sugar.

Because pancreatic cancer often develops quietly and can grow or spread rapidly, symptoms typically do not appear until the disease has reached an advanced stage. This rapid progression is why it is currently the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, with more than 67,530 people expected to be diagnosed in 2026.

Types of Pancreatic Cancer

Tumors are categorized based on the type of pancreatic cells they originate in:

  • Exocrine Pancreatic Cancer: By far the most common type, forming in the exocrine cells that produce digestive juices.
  • Endocrine Pancreatic Cancer (Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors/NETs): A much less common type that develops in the hormone-producing endocrine cells.

Who Is at Risk?

While the exact underlying causes are still being studied, several health conditions, lifestyle choices, and genetic factors can elevate risk:

  • Medical Conditions: Long-standing diabetes, chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), and obesity.
  • Lifestyle Factors: Smoking or a history of tobacco use significantly increases risk.
  • Demographics & Age: Risk increases with age, particularly for individuals aged 55 and older. Statistically, higher incidence rates are also observed among African Americans.
  • Genetics: A family history of pancreatic cancer or certain inherited genetic mutations.

Treatment Options

Because pancreatic tumors require highly sophisticated management, your multidisciplinary care team will customize a plan based on the tumor's stage and precise location. Treatment may include:

  • Surgery: To remove the tumor, which may involve removing part or all of the pancreas depending on the tumor's location.
  • Ablation: Using extreme heat or cold to target and destroy localized tumor tissue without removing the organ.
  • Radiation Therapy: Utilizing targeted, high-energy beams to shrink tumors or destroy cancer cells.
  • Chemotherapy: Systemic medications designed to stop cancer cells from growing, dividing, or spreading.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the early warning signs of a hepatobiliary issue?

Because the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts are closely connected, early signs of a problem often include jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin), unexplained upper abdominal pain on the right side, chronic fatigue and changes in the color of your urine (darker) or stool (lighter or clay-colored). If you notice these symptoms, you should consult a doctor right away.

What diagnostic tests are used to detect these cancers?

Diagnosing tumors in the hepatobiliary system usually requires a combination of advanced imaging and lab work. Your care team may order blood tests (including liver function tests and tumor markers), imaging scans like an MRI, CT or ultrasound, or a specialized endoscopic procedure (like an ERCP) to look inside the bile ducts and take a tissue sample if needed.

Are liver and pancreatic cancers hereditary?

While most cases happen without a family history, genetics can play a role. Certain inherited gene mutations — such as the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations associated with pancreatic cancer, or hereditary conditions like Lynch syndrome and hemochromatosis — can increase your baseline risk. If you have a strong family history of these conditions, our team can help coordinate genetic counseling.