Blood test to detect biliary tract cancers early

Researchers are developing a new blood test that can detect biliary tract cancers — rare cancers that affect the gallbladder and bile ducts — by looking for special DNA markers in your blood. This test could help doctors find cancer earlier and more accurately, before symptoms become severe. The study will compare blood samples from people with confirmed biliary tract cancer, people with other conditions that mimic cancer, and healthy volunteers to see how well the test works.

Biliary tract cancers are aggressive and often caught too late because early warning signs are not obvious. Current imaging tests and blood markers are not accurate enough to distinguish cancer from benign conditions, leading to unnecessary surgeries and misdiagnosis. This medication-free blood test could provide a faster, more reliable way to diagnose these cancers and help doctors make better treatment decisions.