Questions to ask: Bile duct and gallbladder cancer

Diagnosis

• Is my cancer in the bile ducts inside the liver, outside the liver, or in the gallbladder?
• What is my stage, and has the cancer spread?
• Can surgery remove all of the cancer?
• Has a team of surgeons and oncologists reviewed my scans together?
• Do I need a stent or drain for jaundice, and which type?
• Has my tumor been sent for broad gene testing, including FGFR2, IDH1, HER2, and MSI?
• Was there enough tissue for testing, or do I need another biopsy or a blood test?
• Is the goal of treatment to cure the cancer or to control it?
• Should I get a second opinion at a center that treats many of these cancers?
• Should I see a genetic counselor?
• Can I meet with the palliative care team now?

Before

• What treatment do you suggest, and why?
• What kind of surgery will I need, and how many of these does the surgeon do each year?
• What will recovery from surgery look like, and how long will I be in the hospital?
• Will I get capecitabine or radiation after surgery?
• Will I get durvalumab or pembrolizumab with my chemotherapy, and how are they different?
• Do my gene results change which treatment you suggest?
• What are the most common side effects, and which should I call about right away?
• How do I care for my stent or drain, and how often will it need changing?
• Are there clinical trials I could join?
• Can I meet with a dietitian before treatment starts?
• What costs should I expect, and who can help with insurance or travel?

During

• How will we know if the treatment is working?
• What do my CA 19-9 and liver test results show?
• Which side effects should I call about right away?
• What should I do if my skin or eyes turn yellow again?
• How long will I stay on immunotherapy?
• Can my dose or schedule be changed if side effects are too hard?
• Do I need eye exams or a special diet for my targeted medicine?
• What are my options if this treatment stops working?
• How can my caregiver help, and what should they watch for?
• Who do I call at night or on weekends?

After

• How often will I need checkups, scans, and blood tests?
• What signs could mean the cancer has come back?
• What long-term side effects should I watch for?
• What should I eat to regain weight and strength?
• Do I still need my stent, and what are the warning signs of a problem?
• Who will be my main doctor now?
• Should my family know about any gene results?
• Where can my family and I find support groups?

Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.