Welcome to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation

Are you or a loved one navigating a cholangiocarcinoma diagnosis?

CCF understands that a diagnosis can leave patients feeling isolated and afraid. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or new to the Foundation, we are here to support you and your loved ones. You are not alone.

To help us better guide you, we encourage you to take our Welcome Survey and join our Newly Diagnosed/Newly Connected program.

This survey takes 10 minutes to complete and provides quick access to resources such as:

  • A Newly Diagnosed/Newly Connected Care Kit
  • Navigating a Cholangiocarcinoma Diagnosis: Resource Roadmap Workbook and its related webinar hosted by our Chief Patient Officer and our Newly Connected email series
  • A 1:1 meeting with a CCF Patient Advocate

You’ll learn about support groups, CCF’s mentorship program, free books, and more.

  1. Find the Right Cholangiocarcinoma Team

No, really. It's important.

If you have been diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, the single most important thing you can do is to see an oncologist and surgeon who specialize in your specific type of cancer; this may require a second opinion.  They should have experience treating many other patients like you, they should be involved in ongoing research and they should have clinical trials available for you. When it comes to treating cancer, expertise can mean the difference between life and death.

Collect your health records and visit our specialist map to find a specialist near you.

If you would like additional assistance, contact:
Melinda Bachini
advocacy@cholangiocarcinoma.org
1-(888) 936-6731, extension 8.

  1. Get the Right Tests & Find the Right Treatment for Cholangiocarcinoma

Ask your doctor about biomarker testing (molecular profiling).

Biomarker testing scans the DNA of your cancer cells for cancer-causing genetic mutations and other molecular abnormalities. This information can be used to match some patients to the most effective treatment available, whether it’s an existing drug or one under study in a clinical trial.

While comprehensive biomarker testing is not yet routine, it is covered for all Medicare patients with advanced solid tumors. It is also increasingly offered at academic medical centers and is frequently part of clinical trial protocols.

Most cancers, when first diagnosed, have a standard of care: a treatment regimen that is widely accepted as the best approach to fighting the disease.  The standard of care for cholangiocarcinoma can be found by looking at the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, which are based on the most up-to-date scientific evidence.

  1. Share Your Health Data

You have the option to share your health data, including biomarker testing data and other health information, with the research community. Gathering and analyzing patient data can help researchers generate new discoveries and treatments that could directly impact your care and improve the lives of future generations. Please consider sharing your data.

  1. Caregiver Resources

Social Security Disability FAQs

  1. Other Helpful Cholangiocarcinoma Resources

Order our book, 100 Questions & Answers About Cholangiocarcinoma, Gallbladder and Bile Duct Cancers by Dr. Ghassan Abou-Alfa & Dr. Eileen M. O’Reilly

Order our free book, Nutrition and Cholangiocarcinoma, produced in partnership with the Oncology Dietician Practice Group (ON DPG).

Download and print our list of FAQs to ask about your care, clinical trials and palliative care.

Fill out and print our Biliary Emergency Information Card to assist any medical personnel that may be treating you.

Read even more about Biomarker Testing and how it can personalize your treatment.

Learn more about our Annual Conference.

Cholangiocarcinoma Survivor Stories

thank you to our sponsors

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Thank you to AstraZeneca for providing 200 care kits to cancer patients in Canada
and sponsoring our Research Advocacy Training program.

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