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EXPATS often dismiss fatigue in Spain as a result of heat. But Quironsalud’s experts warn that these minor symptoms may be the early signs of silent liver cancer.
Many expats living on the Costa del Sol dismiss symptoms such as mild fatigue or itchiness of the skin, blaming it on the Spanish heat and a hectic social schedule.
Quironsalud’s specialists have issued a warning to the public: these issues, which may seem minor, could be signs of a silent killer called cholangiocarcinoma.
This warning comes at a time when the medical community has recently celebrated World Cholangiocarcinoma Day.
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The day serves as a critical reminder of this often silent disease. Since symptoms typically only appear when the tumor is advanced, international awareness is vital for improving early diagnosis and survival rates.
Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare and aggressive cancer of the bile ducts—the vital tubes that carry digestive fluid from the liver to the small intestine.
It accounts for approximately 10% to 15% of all primary liver cancers and is most common in adults over the age of 50, making it a particular concern for the coast’s international community.
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The disease is notoriously difficult to detect because it rarely shows symptoms in its early stages.
Dr. Cristina Quero, an oncology specialist at Hospital Quironsalud Marbella and Campo de Gibraltar, explains that in the beginning, symptoms are often very non-specific, such as general tiredness.
As the disease progresses and the tumour begins to obstruct the bile duct, more visible signs develop.
These include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), pruritus (intense itching), dark urine, and pale-colored stools.
While the diagnosis is serious, the medical landscape has been transformed by a new ‘double hit’ therapeutic approach pioneered in Andalusia.
For patients with advanced disease, the combination of traditional chemotherapy and cutting-edge immunotherapy has seen two-year survival rates jump by a significant 15%.
This combination works by helping the patient’s own immune system recognize and attack the tumour cells, marking a major breakthrough in first-line defense.
Beyond this new therapy, advances in precision medicine are allowing doctors to identify specific genetic alterations in tumours to tailor treatments to the individual.
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While surgery remains the primary hope for a cure—sometimes involving partial liver removal or transplantation—the introduction of targeted therapies means those who do not respond to conventional treatments now have life-extending options that simply did not exist a few years ago.
Dr. Quero suggests adopting healthy lifestyles habits to reduce the risk. These include quitting smoking, limiting alcohol intake, and not drinking excessively.
Hepatitis B and C, as well as certain parasitic infections are also associated with the condition.
Quironsalud is the largest private healthcare provider across Andalusia. It operates a vast network, with flagship hospitals in Malaga and Marbella as well as Los Barrios (Cadiz), Cordoba and Huelva.
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With over 50,000 professionals and the latest in molecular testing and radiotherapy, the group is at the forefront of the fight against rare cancers.
The group is also a European leader through its parent company, Fresenius-Helios, and remains committed to medical education and scientific research through its university-affiliated hospitals.
For those concerned about symptoms or seeking the latest in precision oncology, the specialist units at Quironsalud Marbella and Los Barrios are currently leading the charge in innovative, multidisciplinary care.
For more information, please visit quironsalud.com/marbella Call +34 952 774 200.
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