Cholangiocarcinoma: New Insights

Abstract

Background:Cholangiocarcinoma is a malignant neoplasm originating from biliary epithelial cells. The incidence and
mortality of disease are rising in the world. Currently, cholangiocarcinoma is accepted as stem cell disease. There are
many risk factors for cholangiocarcinoma. Diagnosis of disease is easy but therapy of disease is quite difficult. Surgical
resection and liver transplantation are the best therapies for the disease. Treatment is usually divided in 3 main groups: 1)
endobiliarytreatments 2) limited pharmacotherapy and 3) surgical treatment. In hilarcholangiocarcinoma; as curative
therapy: 1) local excision 2) combined partial hepatectomy 3) ex situ vivo liver resection and autotransplantation 4) orthotropic liver transplantation 5) central lobe resection 6) neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapies may be given. As palliative
therapy; 1) palliative surgical treatment 2) endoscopic stent 3) percutaneous stent 4) photodynamic treatment 5) intraluminal brachytherapy 6) external radiation and systemic chemotherapy may be administered. In conclusion, cholangiocellular carcinoma is a malignant disease which is suggested to be a stem cell disease triggered by inflammation, environmental and genetic factors. It originates from bile ducts and has a poor diagnosis. Future advances in the etiopathogenesisof the disease will contribute to a better understanding of the condition and its better treatment.