Metastatic Pattern of Spread of Cholangiocarcinoma
Introduction:
Cholangiocarcinoma is cancer arising from the intrahepatic or extrahepatic bile ducts, almost exclusively adenocarcinoma. Cancer at the convergence of the right and left bile ducts is termed a Klatskin tumor.
Prevalence: Very Rare Metastasis Frequency: Common
References:
Surgery. 2002 Jan;131(1 Suppl):S159-64. PMID: 11821804
Hum Pathol. 1988 Oct;19(10):1228-34. PMID: 2844646
Radiographics. 2008 Sep-Oct;28(5):1263-87. PMID: 18794305
Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2008 Jun;132(6):931-9. PMID: 18517275
Primary Tumor:
| Characteristics | Comments | |
| Bile Duct | Obstructing | various patterns of bile duct involvement are described |
Known Metastatic Locations:
| Site | Frequency | Characteristics | Comments |
| Liver | Common | Biliary Duct Dilatation, Satellite, Delayed Enhancement | the tumor spreads along bile ducts and vascular channels
|
| Local Lymph Nodes | Common | ||
| Distant Lymph Nodes | Common | intra-abdominal but beyond the local nodes |
|
| Peritoneum | Common |
|
|
| Adrenal Glands | Rare | ||
| Lung Parenchyma | Rare | Nodule | |
| Bone | Very Rare | Lytic | |
| Gallbladder | Very Rare | ||
| Colon | Very Rare | ||
| Pancreas | Very Rare | ||
| Pleura | Very Rare | ||
| Spleen | Very Rare |