Diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma: a case series and literature review.
BACKGROUND
Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare neoplasm of the bile ducts. Risk factors include primary sclerosing cholangitis, Caroli's disease, infection, liver flukes, and chronic typhoid. Improvements in imaging and surgical techniques may allow for earlier diagnosis and improvements in patient survival.


METHODS
A retrospective review of patients referred to a single center, and a literature review.


RESULTS
Of 23 patients 14 were male, 9 female; mean age 64 years. Mean survival time was 621 days. Stage I, II, III and IV patients had mean survival times of 1120.5, 117.5, 479.5, and 448.9 days, respectively. Patients with resectable disease had improved survival (964.5 days) compared to non-surgically treated (174.4 days) and unresectable patients (558.1 days).


CONCLUSIONS
Despite advances in imaging techniques and surgical care, overall survival of cholangiocarcinoma remains poor. Early recognition and minimization of delay may allow for definitive surgical therapy (complete resection) and improved survival.
Jabara
Ben
B
Tulane University School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Fargen
Kyle M
KM
Beech
Scott
S
Slakey
Douglas R
DR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D049448:Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance; D019160:Endosonography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed