The overall incidence of cholangiocarcinomomas is 1.5 times greater in men than in women, but the prevalence of the disease is comparable among these groups. In addition, the disease is more common in African-Americans and Hispanics, whose incidence is 2.5 times that of whites. However, the rate of death for this cancer is higher in Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders than it is in whites.
Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare, fatal tumor of the biliary system. In the US, Canada, and Australia, its incidence is highest. Compared to the United Kingdom and USA, incidences of cholangiocarcinoma are highest in eastern countries. Furthermore, this disease is more prevalent among Asians than in western countries. In the UK, Canada, and the United States, the incidence is lower.
Although the incidence of cholangiocarcinomoma is lower than that of other cancers, it is still more common in Asia. In the United States, it has a rate of between three and eight cases per 100,000 people. Its high prevalence has increased in recent decades, but recent observations suggest a leveling off in recent years. It is therefore important to understand the factors that may contribute to the development of cholangiocarcinoma.
In the early stages of the disease, cholangiocarcinoma does not cause symptoms. In fact, it is not until the tumor has spread to other parts of the body that symptoms are apparent. But, once the cancer has grown and spread, the bile ducts may become blocked, which can block them completely. Symptoms of cholangiocarcinoma include jaundice (yellow skin color), dark urine, and unintentional weight loss. Other common nonspecific symptoms include a decreased appetite, abdominal pain, and greasy stools.
Cholangiocarcinoma is rare and does not have symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Most people with cholangiocarcinoma have no symptoms, but they are at a high risk for developing it. The most common symptom of cholangiocarcinoma is jaundice, a yellow-green skin color. Other symptoms may include dark urine and abdominal pain.
The disease is often asymptomatic. The symptoms of the disease may be delayed by several years. There are three types of cholangiocarcinoma. Some of the most common types are intrahepatic, and perihilar. The three types of cholangiocarcinomas are classified according to their location. Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is rare in the Western world.
The incidence of cholangiocarcinomoa is not associated with hepatitis B or C virus, but it is associated with a PSC. In patients with PSC, there is a long-term association between the development of cholangiocarcinoma and PSC. The median interval between the two conditions is 2.5 years. The disease usually appears in the last three years.
The elongated cholangiocytes cover the path of bile secretion by hepatocytes. The bile is carried in bile duct radicals. Despite the presence of cholangiocytes, cholangiocarcinoma is rare in people with hepatitis B/C. The disease is associated with obesity and hepatitis B/C virus.
The risk factors for cholangiocarcinoma are a combination of chronic biliary tract infection and inflammation. Chronic viral hepatitis and liver fluke infestations are also risk factors for cholangiocarcinomas. Opisthorchis viverrini, an insect, is a common parasite in the biliary tract. It is thought that a chronic biliary fluke infestation increases the risk of cholangiocarcinoma.
The risk of cholangiocarcinoma is associated with hepatitis B virus infection and hepatitis. In China, the main risk factors are hepatitis B virus infection and chronic hepatitis. In the US, individuals with hepatitis B have a greater chance of developing cholangiocarcinoma, compared to the general population.
The main treatments for cholangiocarcinoma are liver resection and chemoradiation. In addition to chemoradiation, surgery is an option for asymptomatic cholangiocarcinoma. Depending on where the tumor is located, resection of the bile duct is the most common treatment for cholangiocarcinoma.
