Hello Jordania, and thank you for getting in touch,

I am very sorry to hear about your sister’s situation. This must be an incredibly difficult time for you and your family.

I can understand how hard it is to deal with so much uncertainty, especially as your sister has chosen not to know details about her cancer or its stage. People cope in different ways, and for some, not having all the information helps them manage day to day.

Bile duct cancer is a relatively rare cancer in the UK, affecting around 3,100 people each year.

I am sorry to hear that your sister’s cancer has come back and has spread to the lymph nodes and the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen). When cancer has spread in this way, it is known as advanced (stage 4) cancer. This means it can be more difficult to treat, and treatment is usually aimed at controlling the cancer, slowing its growth, and helping manage symptoms. How well treatment works can vary from person to person.

If your sister is happy for you to be involved, her hospital team, particularly her cancer specialist or clinical nurse specialist (CNS), would be best placed to give more personalised information, as they know her full medical history.

I hope this information is helpful. Please do get back in touch if you would like to talk things through further. You are also very welcome to call our free helpline on 0808 800 4040 (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm) to speak with one of our nurses.

Jemma