Non-cancerous tumours and conditions of the biliary tract

A non-cancerous (benign) tumour of the biliary tract is a growth that does not spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Non-cancerous tumours are not usually life-threatening. They are typically removed with surgery and do not usually come back (recur).

A non-cancerous (benign) condition of the biliary tract is a change in the gallbladder or bile duct, but it is not cancer. Non-cancerous conditions do not spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body and are not usually life-threatening.

There are many types of non-cancerous tumours and conditions of the biliary tract.

Gallstones are the most common non-cancerous condition of the biliary tract. They are formed inside the gallbladder when the substances that make up bile harden. If the gallstones leave the gallbladder and enter the bile ducts, they can block the flow of bile and cause symptoms like abdominal pain and jaundice. Gallstones are usually treated with surgery to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy).

About 10% to 20% of Canadians will have gallstones at some point in their life, though only about 10% to 20% of these people have symptoms. In Canada, gallstones occur more frequently in women than men and in Indigenous peoples than other ethnicities. They are also more common in older people and those with a high body mass index (BMI).

Primary biliary cholangitis is caused by autoimmune destruction of the intrahepatic bile ducts. As the condition worsens, it causes liver cirrhosis that stops the liver and bile ducts from working properly.

Gallbladder adenomyomatosis is caused by rapid growth of gallbladder walls. This condition causes the walls of the gallbladder to thicken and small empty pockets (called Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses) to form from the walls lining the inside of the gallbladder.

Rare non-cancerous tumours of the biliary tract include:

• bile duct adenomas
• bile duct hamartomas
• choledochal cysts