The association between extrahepatic biliary carcinoma and the junction of the cystic duct and the biliary tree.
OBJECTIVE
To establish accurately the sites of primary extrahepatic biliary carcinomas, so that optimal treatment may be given.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
University department of surgery.


METHODS
120 patients with 121 primary extrahepatic biliary carcinomas.


METHODS
Site of tumour (primary site being geometric centre of tumour) and distance from junction of cystic duct and the biliary tree on histological examination of the resected specimen.


RESULTS
64 of the tumours (53%) were within 5 mm of the junction; 14 were proximal to the junction, 32 distal, and 18 within the cystic duct itself.


CONCLUSIONS
Over half the primary extrahepatic biliary tumours were within 5 mm of the junction of the cystic duct and the rest of the biliary tree. Further investigations are required to find out if any particular aetiological factor can be identified.
Ohtani
T
T
Department of Surgery, Niigata University School of Medicine, Japan.
Shirai
Y
Y
Tsukada
K
K
Hatakeyama
K
K
Muto
T
T
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D017734:Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic / Q000473:pathology*; D001659:Biliary Tract / Q000473:pathology*; D018196:Carcinoma, Adenosquamous / Q000473:pathology*; D003549:Cystic Duct / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies