Extra hepatic bile duct distal cholangiocarcinoma: apropos of a case

Abstract

Introduction: Malignant neoplasms which derive from the hepatic parenchyma and the epithelium of the bile ducts constitute a heterogeneous group of tumours which have generally poor prognosis and whose treatment is complicated in most of cases because of liver injury, underlying cirrhosis or biliary obstruction. They represent the third leading causeof death by cancer in the world and its incidence is on therise, forcing extreme clinical surveillance in relation to its presentation, assessment and treatment.

Objective: To describe a clinical case of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma of distal common bile duct.

Material and methods: Retrospective descriptive study, clinical case presentation.

Results: Tumors of the liver and biliary tract include hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder adenocarcinoma, as well as other less frequent malignant histological types. The cholangiocarcinomas are subdivided in turn depending on their anatomical location inthe bile: (also known as peripherals) intrahepatic or extrahepatic, that may be a factor (also called Klatskin tumors) or distal. The liver is a frequent place of metastasis from other primary tumors, making it necessary to include metastatic processes in the differential diagnosis of liver tumors. The present case is included in primary malignant tumors of the liver and bile duct distal cholangiocarcinoma diagnosed by ERCP.

Conclusions: The precision diagnostic and therapeutic can modify the prognosis in patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma of distal common bile duct.