What is intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma?
The bile ducts within the liver are called intrahepatic bile ducts. Cancers that develop in these ducts are called intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma. It is the second most common type of liver cancer and accounts for 10–20% of all liver tumors.
What are the causes of intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma?
This type of cancer develops due to mutations in the DNA of cells in the bile ducts. However, the exact cause of these DNA mutations is not known.
What are the causes of intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma?
This type of cancer, which usually occurs in older age, does not show symptoms in the early stages. When tumors begin to produce symptoms, the disease commonly causes jaundice, fatigue, weakness, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, unexplained weight loss, itchy skin, digestive problems, pale stools, dark urine, and fever.
How is intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma diagnosed?
Blood tests are used to check bilirubin levels. Ultrasound is used to detect the presence of a tumor. CT and MRI determine the tumor’s location and whether it has spread. A definitive diagnosis is made through a biopsy, in which a tissue sample is taken and sent for pathological analysis.
ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) is another diagnostic method. PET scanning is also used and is typically the final diagnostic tool. This scan determines not only which organs the tumor has metastasized to but also the stage of the cancer.
How is intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma diagnosed?
If the cancer is not in an advanced stage and surgery is possible, surgical treatment is preferred. However, in advanced stages where surgery is not feasible, only radiotherapy and chemoradiotherapy are applied.