<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> Hilar cholangiocarcinoma, Klatskin tumor or proximal bile duct cancer, is a tumor growing in the right hepatic duct, left hepatic duct or at their confluence. It is a relatively rare but devastating disease. The tight stricture of the biliary ducts and the development of obstructive jaundice are the main characteristics of the disease. In the early phase, symptoms are nonspecific and jaundice is not present, leading to delayed diagnosis and denying the possibility of curative treatment. We present the case of a 74 years old woman who was referred to us with ambiguous symptomatology and without jaundice. The ultrasound and CT scan showed dilation of the left biliary tree, without increase of the cholestatic enzymes. Magnetic resonance cholangiography depicted a tumor in the left hepatic duct (3X3 cm.) with enlargement of the bile ducts above. The surgical treatment consisted of left hepatectomy and hilar lymph nodes dissection. The pathology findings showed a cholangiocarcinoma with a few hilar nodes involvement. Our approach was potentially curative. Unfortunately these situations are seldom because in the majority of cases the patients have obstructive jaundice at presentation and the tumors are unresectable. We consider that a magnetic resonance cholangiography made when we suspect a bile duct tumor, leads us to an early diagnosis and gives us the possibility of a potential curative surgical treatment.</p></abstract>

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma, Klatskin tumor or proximal bile duct cancer, is a tumor growing in the right hepatic duct, left hepatic duct or at their confluence. It is a relatively rare but devastating disease. The tight stricture of the biliary ducts and the development of obstructive jaundice are the main characteristics of the disease. In the early phase, symptoms are nonspecific and jaundice is not present, leading to delayed diagnosis and denying the possibility of curative treatment. We present the case of a 74 years old woman who was referred to us with ambiguous symptomatology and without jaundice. The ultrasound and CT scan showed dilation of the left biliary tree, without increase of the cholestatic enzymes. Magnetic resonance cholangiography depicted a tumor in the left hepatic duct (3X3 cm.) with enlargement of the bile ducts above. The surgical treatment consisted of left hepatectomy and hilar lymph nodes dissection. The pathology findings showed a cholangiocarcinoma with a few hilar nodes involvement. Our approach was potentially curative. Unfortunately these situations are seldom because in the majority of cases the patients have obstructive jaundice at presentation and the tumors are unresectable. We consider that a magnetic resonance cholangiography made when we suspect a bile duct tumor, leads us to an early diagnosis and gives us the possibility of a potential curative surgical treatment.

Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma Diagnosed and Treated Early, in Prejaundice Phase

University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tirgu Mures

Acta Marisiensis - Seria Medica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma Diagnosed and Treated Early, in Prejaundice Phase"}

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma, Klatskin tumor or proximal bile duct cancer, is a tumor growing in the right hepatic duct, left hepatic duct or at their confluence....

Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma Diagnosed and Treated Early, in Prejaundice Phase

Published Online: Nov 25, 2014

Page range: 163 - 166

Received: Jun 01, 2014

Accepted: Aug 12, 2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/amma-2014-0036

Keywords
hilar cholangiocarcinoma, jaundice, magnetic resonance cholangiography, left hepatectomy

© by Cristian Borz

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma Diagnosed and Treated Early, in Prejaundice Phase

Published Online: Nov 25, 2014

Page range: 163 - 166

Received: Jun 01, 2014

Accepted: Aug 12, 2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/amma-2014-0036

Keywordshilar cholangiocarcinoma, jaundice, magnetic resonance cholangiography, left hepatectomy

© by Cristian Borz

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
hilar cholangiocarcinoma, jaundice, magnetic resonance cholangiography, left hepatectomy