TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Former Minister of Economic Affairs Kuo Jyh-huei (郭智輝) said Monday (April 20) that he was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a bile duct cancer, after President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) urged him to undergo a medical examination last year. Kuo's cancer marker reached 44, eight to nine times above the standard value.
Kuo thanked President Lai for insisting on the check-up, saying cholangiocarcinoma is particularly dangerous because it causes no pain. Kuo, who has a history of hepatitis B, said, "If it weren't for the president's insistence, I probably would have continued working." Early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes for bile duct cancer patients.
Medical experts said cholangiocarcinoma is the second most common malignant tumor in the liver and bile ducts, after liver cancer. The disease often goes unnoticed in its early stages, with most diagnoses occurring after the critical window for treatment has passed. The Formosa Cancer Foundation (台灣癌症基金會) said cholangiocarcinoma results from the proliferation of bile duct epithelial cells and is classified into intrahepatic and hilar types.
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), which accounts for only about 10% of cases, poses the highest threat. It grows within the liver, presenting minimal early symptoms such as mild upper abdominal pain, nausea, appetite loss and weight loss. These symptoms are often mistaken for fatigue, resulting in late-stage diagnoses and poor prognoses.
Cholangiocarcinoma predominantly affects people aged 60 to 70, with a slightly higher incidence in males, and surgery remains the only hope for a cure. When a single tumor is confined to the liver, the five-year survival rate is approximately 25% to 33%. Tumors near the hilum or common bile duct have survival rates of 10% to 15%.
Experts recommend regular check-ups every six months to a year for high-risk groups, including those with inflammatory bowel disease, primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and intrahepatic bile duct stones. Check-ups should include blood tests for hepatitis markers, jaundice indices and CA19-9 tumor markers, along with abdominal ultrasound screenings.
Kuo urged the public to use government resources, noting that the age for free adult health checks has been lowered to 30. He encouraged people to seek medical attention before their bodies start sending warning signals. Taiwan's National Health Insurance covers regular screenings for eligible adults. ◼
