A trial looking at whether stereotactic radiotherapy together with chemotherapy is a useful treatment for people with locally advanced bile duct cancer (ABC-07)

This trial is for people aged 16 and over who have been diagnosed with locally advanced bile duct cancer or ampullary cancer (cancer where the bile duct joins the small bowel). A team of hospital specialists must have confirmed that the cancer cannot be removed with surgery. The tumour must be clearly visible on hospital scans and measure 12 centimetres or less across.

To take part, you should be reasonably active and able to look after yourself, such as managing light household activities. You also need to have good enough liver and kidney function, satisfactory blood counts, and working bile drainage, which your hospital team will check using routine tests.

People whose cancer has spread to distant organs, or whose tumour is too large to safely receive targeted radiation, will not be able to join. Your hospital doctor will review your scans and general health to see if the trial is a safe option for you.

If you take part, you will receive standard chemotherapy, usually given in cycles over several months. Some patients will also receive stereotactic radiotherapy sessions, which are planned using detailed body scans and given over a set number of visits to the radiotherapy department. Throughout the trial, you will have regular hospital appointments for blood tests, physical check-ups, and scans to monitor your health and see how the cancer is responding. Your medical team will also ask you questions about how you are feeling and any side effects you might have. After your treatment ends, you will continue to have regular follow-up visits so doctors can keep track of your progress over the long term.