Cholangiocarcinoma, Cytological Findings

Synonyms

Biliary tract carcinoma; Klatskin tumor

Definition

Adenocarcinomas of the biliary epithelium, of either intrahepatic or extrahepatic biliary tree are called cholangiocarcinomas.

Clinical Features

• Incidence

  Cholangiocarcinoma is the second most common hepatobiliary tumor and incidence is rising worldwide. It occurs in approximately 2 per 100,000 people and accounts for approximately 13% of primary liver cancers (Patel 2002). Chronic biliary tract inflammation represents a major risk factor for the development of cholangiocarcinoma (e.g., chronic parasitic infection of the biliary tract, primary sclerosing cholangitis).

  There has been a marked global increase in mortality from intrahepatic, but not extrahepatic, biliary tract malignancies.

• Age and Sex

  Age is a risk factor for the development of malignancy and mortality is higher in males in European countries but not in eastern countries.

• Site

  Depending on anatomic location, they are classified as: (1) intrahepatic...