ABSTRACT
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is the second most common intrahepatic primary liver tumor after hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Epidemiological study suggests a strong correlation between HBV infection and ICC development.This review focused on the potential mechanisms of HBV-induced ICC and gives a primary summary of suggested hypothesis,which included:(1) HBV infection of liver stem/progenitor cells will indirectly lead to HBV infection of intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells and lead to the development of ICC; (2) the changed microenvironment of intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells by HBV infection eventually results in carcinogenesis ; (3) the HBV infection of hepatic sten/progenitor cell can transform into tumor-like stem cells and ultimately differentiate into ICC-like tumor cells.