2. Abdominal Pain: The Underlying Symptom with Multiple Faces
Abdominal pain is one of those ambiguous symptoms that’s easy to misinterpret. After all, a variety of ailments can cause it. However, its connection to cholangiocarcinoma makes it worth examining more closely.
The pain typically begins as a dull ache in the upper abdomen, easily mistaken for indigestion or heartburn. However, as cholangiocarcinoma progresses, the ache can evolve into a sharp, debilitating pain. Often it will localize near the liver, making it increasingly uncomfortable to maintain certain postures or even breathe deeply.
What’s especially tricky about abdominal pain in cholangiocarcinoma is its ability to radiate to other parts of the body. Some people report feeling pain in their back or shoulder blades, confusing it with muscle strain or tension.
Now, you might be thinking that pain, in general, is a subjective experience. And you’d be right. In fact, some patients don’t feel any pain at all until later stages. This is because the bile ducts have a higher pain threshold compared to other body parts, making it possible for the cancer to advance without setting off immediate red flags. (2)
