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Cholangiocarcinoma is cancer of a bile duct. The cancerous tumor is slow-growing and causes a blockage in the bile duct. Some symptoms of this condition can be jaundice and weight loss.
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What is the ICD-9 code for cholangiocarcinoma?
155.1
When did Harue Tone die?
Harue Tone died on April 27, 2005, in Japan of cholangiocarcinoma.
What is the medical term meaning tumor in the bile vessel or duct?
It essentially is a duct that has been dilated by iodine.
What are some symptoms of cholangiocarcinoma?
Cholangiocarcinoma is Bile Duct Cancer. Several symptoms are Jaundice, Abdominal Pain, Fever, Weight Loss, Weakness and Itching. There are several ways to test for Bile Duct Cancer that starts in and near the liver. Your doctor can do Blood Work, Endoscopy, MRI, CT Scan, Percutaneous(through the skin) Transhepatic (through the liver), Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
What color cancer ribbon is Cholangiocarcinoma?
Is there a particular color ribbon that is used for Gallbladder Cancer?
What is hepatic hilum?
The central part of the liver, where common hepatic duct, hepatic artery and portal vein enter into the liver is called Hepatic hilum or porta hepatis. It is also the most common site of cholangiocarcinoma or Klatskin Tumour of bile duct.
What kind of disease is liver cancer?
Liver cancer, also known as hepatic cancer, is a type of malignant tumor that originates in the liver. It is a form of primary cancer, meaning it starts in the liver cells rather than spreading to the liver from other parts of the body. The most common type of liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which develops in the hepatocytes, the main type of liver cell. Liver cancer can also be classified as: Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): This is the most common type and typically occurs in individuals with chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis. Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: This cancer begins in the bile ducts within the liver. Hepatoblastoma: This rare type of liver cancer primarily affects children. The risk factors for liver cancer include chronic infections with hepatitis B or C viruses, cirrhosis (often due to alcohol abuse or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), exposure to aflatoxins (toxins produced by certain molds), and some genetic conditions.
Cholangiocarcinoma?
DefinitionCholangiocarcinoma is a cancerous (malignant) growth in one of the ducts that carries bile from the liver to the small intestine.Alternative NamesBile duct cancerCauses, incidence, and risk factorsCancerous tumorsof the bile ducts are usually slow-growing and do not spread (metastasize) quickly. However, many of these tumors are already advanced by the time they are found.A cholangiocarcinoma may start anywhere along the bile ducts. These tumors block off the bile ducts.They affect both men and women. Most patients are older than 65.Risks for this condition include:Bile duct (choledochal) cystsChronic biliaryirritationHistory of infection with the parasitic worm, liver flukesPrimary sclerosing cholangitisUlcerative colitisCholangiocarcinoma is rare. It occurs in approximately 2 out of 100,000 people.SymptomsChillsClay-colored stoolsFeverItchingLoss of appetitePain in the upper right abdomen that may radiate to the backWeight lossYellowing of the skin (jaundice)Signs and testsYour health care provider will perform a physical exam. Tests will be done to check for a tumor or blockage in the bile duct. These may include:Abdominal CT scanAbdominal ultrasoundCTscan-directed biopsyCytologyEndoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram (PTCA)Blood tests that may be done include:Liver function tests (especially alkaline phosphatase or bilirubin levels)TreatmentThe goal is to treat the cancer and the blockage it causes. When possible, surgery to remove the tumor is the treatment of choice and may result in a cure. If the tumor is large, the entire liver may need to be removed and a liver transplant will be needed. However, often the cancer has already spread by the time it is diagnosed.Chemotherapy or radiation may be given after surgery to decrease the risk of the cancer returning. However, the benefit of this treatment is not certain.Endoscopictherapy with stent placement can temporarily relieve blockages in the biliary ducts and relieve jaundice in patients when the tumor cannot be removed. Laser therapy combined with light-activated chemotherapy medications is another treatment option for those with blockages of the bile duct.Support GroupsYou can ease the stress of illness by joining a support group with members who share common experiences and problems (see cancer - support group).Hospice is often a good resource for patients with cholangiocarcinoma that cannot be cured.Expectations (prognosis)Completely removing the tumor allows 30 - 40% of patients to survive for at least 5 years, with the possibility of a complete cure.If the tumor cannot be completely removed, a cure is generally not possible. With treatment, about half of these patients live a year, and about half live longer.ComplicationsInfectionLiver failureSpread (metastasis) of tumor to other organsCalling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you have jaundice or other symptoms of cholangiocarcinoma.ReferencesLewis RL. Liver and biliary tract tumors. In Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 206.
Sclerosing cholangitis?
DefinitionSclerosing cholangitis refers to swelling (inflammation), scarring, and destruction of the bile ducts inside and outside of the liver.Alternative NamesPrimary sclerosing cholangitis; PSCCauses, incidence, and risk factorsIn this condition, the bile ducts inside and outside the liver become narrowed and scarred.The cause is often unknown.The disease is often seen in patients who have:Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis)SarcoidosisChronic pancreatitisMany autoimmune disordersGenetic factors may also be responsible. Sclerosing cholangitis occurs more often in men than women. This disorder is rare in children.Sclerosing cholangitis may also be caused by:CholedocholithiasisToxicity from chemicals, copper, bile acidsInfections in the liver, gallbladder, and bile ductsSymptomsThe first symptoms are usually fatigue, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), and itching. However, some people may have no symptoms.Other symptoms may include:Loss of appetite and weight lossEnlarged liverEnlarged spleenRepeat episodes of cholangitisSigns and testsSome people do not have symptoms, but blood work reveals they have abnormal liver function. The doctor will rule out diseases that cause similar problems. For example, you will be checked for stones in the gallbladder or biliary tract.Tests that show cholangitis include:Abdominal CT scanAbdominal ultrasoundEndoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)Liver biopsyMagnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram (PTC)Blood tests include:Elevated liver enzymes (liver function tests)TreatmentMedications that may be used include:CholestyramineUrsodeoxycholic acid (ursodiol)Fat-soluble vitamins (D, E, A, K)Antibiotics for infections in the bile ductsMedications that quiet the immune system (prednisone, azathioprine, cyclosporine, methotrexate)Surgical procedures:Inserting a long, thin tube with a balloon at the end to open up narrowing (endoscopic balloon dilation of strictures)Placement of a drain or tube for major narrowing (strictures) of biliary ductsProctocolectomy(for those who have both ulcerative colitis and sclerosing cholangitis)Liver transplantExpectations (prognosis)How well patients do varies. The disease tends to get worse over time and most patients develop:Biliary cirrhosisLiver failurePersistent jaundiceSome patients develop infections of the bile ducts that keep returning. Patients may have chronic liver disease that gets worse, with ascites and varices.People with this condition have an increased risk of developing cancer of the bile ducts (cholangiocarcinoma). They should be checked on a regular basis (usually each year) with liver scans and blood tests.ComplicationsBleeding esophageal varicesCancer in the bile ducts (cholangiocarcinoma)Cirrhosis and liver failureInfection of the biliary system (cholangitis)Narrowing of the bile ducts (strictures)Vitamin deficienciesReferencesGordon FD. Primary sclerosing cholangitis. Surg Clin North Am. 2008;88:1385-1407.Tung BY, Kowdley KV. Sclerosing cholangitis and recurrent pyogenic cholangitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2006:chap 65.
How does alcohol cause liver disease?
Drinking alcohol abusively over a period of decades has been implicated statistically with the development of liver cancer. Interestingly, cancer is much more likely to develop after an alcohol abuser stops drinking. That's because it is during the period that the liver is rapidly regenerating that abnormal cells are more likely to develop.
Diagnosing The Causes Of Liver Cancer?
The exact cause of primary liver cancer remains unclear. Cancer in the liver occurs when the organ's cells mutate to such a degree than rapid division of identical cells begins. Over time these cells grow into a tumor, the liver functions begin to deteriorate and the entire body is affected in a negative manner. Medical experts have linked chronic hepatitis to the development of liver cancer cells, but much more study is needed to explain this relationship.Development of Primary Liver CancerSeveral different categories of liver cancer have been classified by the medical community. These are divided according to the location and type of cells that become cancerous. A hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common form of the disease. Hepatocytes are the cells making up the main tissue of the liver. Bile ducts are sometimes mutated, forming small tumors. This is known as cholangiocarcinoma. Liver cancer can also develop in the blood vessels supplying nutrients to the organ. This type of cancer is called angiosarcoma. Infants and toddlers sometimes become afflicted with a certain type of cancerous growth in the liver. This is called hepatoblastoma and its cause is unknown.Risk Factors For Liver CancerAlthough reasons for the mutation of liver cells remains somewhat of a mystery there is a mound of evidence pointing to certain risk factors. Age is one of the primary factors where liver cancer is concerned. In most of the developed nations the disease is very rare in individuals under the age of 45. Also males are more likely to develop liver cancer than females. Genetics may also play a role in the likelihood of scar tissue development in the liver. Known as cirrhosis, this condition is irreversible and often leads to primary liver cancer. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause damage to liver cells. Over a period of many years the cells will begin to undergo mutations and a malignant growth is possible.Aflatoxins ExposureThis has become a widely discussed topic in recent years. Evidence has shown that these toxins, present in certain fungi contained in corn, peanuts and other crops can lead to serious liver damage. Many countries now require treatment of food crops to reduce levels of aflatoxins. Regular testing of food samples is required in the United States.Other health problems such as diabetes can also increase the chances of primary liver cancer. Excessive buildup of fatty acids in the liver is also noted as a risk factor for the disease.
Biopsy - biliary tract?
DefinitionA biliary tract biopsy is a procedure that involves taking a sample of tissue or material from the duodenum, bile ducts, pancreas, or pancreatic duct. The sample is then tested for cancer or other diseases.Alternative NamesCytology analysis - biliary tractHow the test is performedTissue or material samples can be obtained in several ways, depending on the problem.If there is a well-defined tumor, the sample can be taken through an aspiration needle. The puncture site will be numbed. Then the needle is inserted through the skin into the lining or tissue to be tested. A small amount of tissue is taken in through the needle, and the needle is removed. The puncture site is then covered to control any bleeding. Pressure may be applied to the puncture site if bleeding continues.If there is a problem such as a narrowing (stricture) or blockage of the bile ducts or pancreatic ducts, a sample can be taken during procedures such as:Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram (PTCA)If the sample is taken during the ERCP, an endoscope is passed through the mouth into the duodenum. A catheter is inserted through the endoscope and into the bile duct, and the sample is obtained. If a narrowing or blockage is observed, the area will be brushed. Then the sample of the brushed material will be analyzed.If a PTCA is performed, the puncture site will be numbed. The needle will be inserted through the skin into the ducts. A catheter will then be inserted to take a sample from the ducts.How to prepare for the testYou may not be able to eat or drink 8-12 hours or more before the test. Your health care provider will give you specific instructions. You must sign an informed consent form.Arrange transportation for yourself, because the procedure can cause weakness. The health care provider will take your medical history and will examine you to determine the problem.For infants and children:The preparation you can provide for this test depends on your child's age and experience. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following:Infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)Toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)Preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)School age test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)Adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years)How the test will feelIf the biopsy is taken through a needle, you will feel a slight stinging sensation when the skin numbing medicine (local anesthetic) is injected. Even after the anesthetic takes effect, you may feel a cramping or pinching sensation during the procedure.If the specimen is taken during an ERCP, you will receive a spray to help numb your throat. You will also receive sedation and pain medications through a vein (IV). As a result, you should not feel much discomfort during the procedure.Why the test is performedA biopsy can determine whether a tumor started in the liver or spread from another location. It also can determine if a growth is cancerous.A biopsy may also be taken:After a doctor's examination, x-ray, MRI, CT scan, or ultrasound has revealed abnormal growthsTo test for diseases or infectionNormal ValuesTissue that is not cancerous, diseased, or infected is normal.What abnormal results meanCancerous liver tumors (those that either started in the liver or spread to it)CholangiocarcinomaLiver cystsPancreatic cancerPrimary sclerosing cholangitisWhat the risks areThere is some risk of bleeding from the biopsy site. With the needle biopsy, there is a slight chance of infection at the puncture site. Also see the risks for an ERCP if the biopsy is taken through an endoscope.ReferencesAfdahl NH. Diseases of the gall bladder and bile ducts. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds.Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 159.
