Multiple choice

Which of the following substances gets mainly elevated in the blood of a person suffering from cholangiocarcinoma?

  1. Direct bilirubin

  2. Indirect bilirubin

  3. Both direct and indirect bilirubin

  4. Heme but not bilirubin
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A Correct answer
Explanation

Cholangiocarcinoma is a cancer of the bile ducts that causes obstruction to bile flow. This obstruction prevents conjugated bilirubin (direct bilirubin) from being excreted into the intestine, causing it to accumulate in the blood instead. Indirect (unconjugated) bilirubin is not typically elevated in cholangiocarcinoma unless there is also hemolysis or liver dysfunction.

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