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Cholangiocarcinoma

By Howard J. Worman, M. D.

Cholangiocarcinoma is cancer that arises from bile ducts cells within the liver. Cholangiocarcinoma can also arise in the bile ducts that are outside of the liver proper. Cholangiocarcinomas are usually first discovered on radiological studies and diagnosed by biopsy.

Carcinoembryonal antigen, also known as CEA, may be elevated in the blood of patients with this tumor. In some parts of the world, liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) infection is a predisposing risk for the development of cholangiocarcinoma. Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis are also at increased risk for the develop of cholangiocarcinomas.

Small cholangiocarcinomas may be surgically resected or the patient may undergo liver transplantation. Patients with cholangiocarcinomas that cannot be surgically resected may be treated with chemotherapy or other palliative modalities.

For additional information on cancer:

Diseases of the Liver Home Page

Copyright, 2002, Howard J. Worman, M. D. All rights reserved. Printing or other reproduction is prohibited without the written authorization of Howard J. Worman.
Diseases of the Liver/Howard J. Worman, M. D./hjw14@columbia.edu