Describe the main radiologic findings in cholangiocarcinoma, illustrated by clinic cases. Review cholangiocarcinoma classification.

Cholangiocarcinoma is the second most common malignancy of the liver, but the prevalence and mortality rates of intrahepatic carcinoma are increasing. There are a number of recognized risk factors for cholangiocarcinoma that all share the common feature of chronic biliary inflammation.

The Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan classified cholangiocarcinoma in mass-forming, periductal infiltrating and intraductal growth types (Fig. 1). Mass-forming cholangiocarcinoma is characterized by a homogeneus mass with an irregular well-defined margin, periferic dilatation of the biliary tree, irregular peripheral with gradual enhancement after intravenous contrast administration, capsular retraction, satellite nodules and vascular encasement without tumor thrombus. This features are...

Awareness of radiologic characteristics of cholangiocarcinoma is important for accurate diagnosis, prognosis and surgical planification.

1. Chung YE,Kim MJ,Park YN,Choi JY,Pyo JY,Kim YC,Cho HJ,Kim KA,Choi SY. Varying appearances of cholangiocarcinoma: radiologic-pathologic correlation.Radiographics. 2009 May-Jun;29(3):683-700. 2. Han JK, Choi BI, Kim AY, An SK, Lee JW, Kim TK, Kim SW. Cholangiocarcinoma: pictorial essay of CT and cholangiographic findings.Radiographics.2002 Jan-Feb;22(1):173-87.