title: The curious case of a Klatskin tumor.
abstract: Klatskin tumors are the most common type of cholangiocarcinomas. They are perihilar tumors usually found at the bifurcation of right and left hepatic ducts. The absence of early symptoms leads to the diagnosis of most Klatskin tumors at an advanced incurable stage. Despite emerging adjuvant treatment regimens, survival outcomes remain poor. Surgery is currently the standard of care and the only curative treatment modality available. In this manuscript, we share our experience with an asymptomatic patient with elevated liver enzymes, who was found to have a Klatskin tumor, extending into the left hepatic duct. The patient's diagnosis, management, and prognosis are discussed. The case highlights the importance of screening for hepato-biliary malignancies in elderly patients with abnormal liver function markers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, USA. basilenjei@gmail.com
authors.forename: Basile
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Njei
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, USA.
authors.forename: Venkata Rajesh
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Konjeti
authors.affiliation: The Hospital of Central Connecticut, New Britain, USA.
authors.forename: Harold
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sanchez
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006500:Hepatic Duct, Common / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D018285:Klatskin Tumor / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D011379:Prognosis