'Doctors thought I had gallstones - it turned out to be a rare liver cancer'

A Moray mum has described how a suspected case of gallstones turned out to be a rare form of liver cancer following a six-month wait for vital scans.

Nikki Simpson, 52, who has cholangiocarcinoma, says her symptoms were dismissed despite several visits to her GP clinic in pain. Tests revealed a 10cm tumour on her liver in September 2024.

She has since undergone 15 rounds of chemotherapy and is now receiving immunotherapy.

Now, Nikki is supporting a national campaign to raise awareness of the signs of the disease.

She told STV News: “It’s very difficult to diagnose, but I went with several different symptoms of the disease.

“I had a lot of pain underneath my right ribs, changing bowel habits, and darker urine.

“I wasn’t jaundiced – which is one of the main symptoms – possibly one of the reasons why it was missed.

“Because there’s not enough awareness of the disease – both among patients and health professionals – it was fobbed off for six months.”

Husband Neill added: “Whether that could have made the difference or not, we’ll never know.”

Once classed as rare, cholangiocarcinoma is now on the rise amongst younger people, with six in 100,000 Scots developing the disease.

Nikki Simpson hopes to raise awareness of cholangiocarcinoma STV News

Vague symptoms such as pain under the right rib, tiredness, pale stools and dark urine mean it’s difficult to diagnose and often not until it’s too late for treatment.

Nikki joined campaigners and health professionals at a reception held at Holyrood to press politicians to fund more research into treatment for cholangiocarcinoma.

“You put you’re trust in the professionals, but if things are taking six months, it could unfortunately be too late,” she said.

“My disease is stabilised, which is the best we can hope for. I’m hoping the immunotherapy will keep it at bay for longer.”

Liver cancer charity AMMF says it wants more GPs to be aware of the signs and urges people who are concerned to ask their doctor for a liver function test.

AMMF CEO Helen Morement said: “We ask GPs just to be aware that these vague symptoms could add up to something serious and if there’s the slightest suspicion, run a liver function test.”

“It’s just a blood test and it will show if the liver results are raised and if so, then start investigating.”

Public health minister Jenni Minto has agreed to consider the case for tests which explore if patients are eligible for immunotherapy treatments which can delay the cancer’s progress.

The Simpsons say they don’t want anyone else to have to suffer life-changing delays for a diagnosis.

Neill said: “If we can help someone else going forward, that’s going to be in our position, that can only be a good thing.

“We want to raise awareness to stop this from happening to other families.”