Abstract

Cholangiocarcinoma is a form of adenocarcinoma arising from the intrahepatic or extra- hepatic biliary epithelium. Apparent predisposing factors include some chronic hepato- biliary parasitic infsttations, congenital anomalies with ectatic ducts, sclerosing cholangitis and chronic ulcerative colitis and occupational exposure to possible biliary tract carcinogens. Patients with cholangiocarcinoma usually present with biliary obstruction, painless jaundice, pruritus, weight loss and acholic stools. Because the obstructing process is gradua1, the cholangiocarcinoma is often far advanced by the time it presents clinically. The diagnosis is most frequently made by cholangiography following ultrasound demonstration of dilated intrahepatic bile ducts. We report a case of common bile duct cancer spreading to gallbladder and common hepatic duct along the biliary mucosal epitherium and submucosal tissue in 68-year-old female patient along with a review of literature. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 17: 872-877, 1997)

• Keywords: Cholangiocarcinoma , Common bile duct cancer , Mucosal and submucosal spread