Cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma is a devastating illness with poor long-term survival. The diagnosis and treatment of cholangocarcinoma is becoming increasingly important, particularly with the increasing incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma, another primary liver tumor. Since the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of the two similar malignancies vary tremendously, a thorough understanding of cholangiocarcinoma is vital for any practitioner dealing with this patient population. The diagnosis and treatment of patients with this disease requires input from nearly every specialist in cancer care: pathologists, diagnostic radiologists, hepatologists, endoscopists, surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and interventional radiologists, who all play a very active role in the management of this disease process. The intent of this book is to provide an overview of the entire disease process, from the diagnosis through imaging and pathology, to the clinical care of patients pre- and post-treatment, to primary oncologic interventions.