Papillary carcinoma: a rare cancer of the biliary duct

Papillary carcinoma is rare as it represents only 5% of carcinomas of the common bile duct. The long prodromal phase is dominated by attacks of cholangitis and incomplete appearance of the jaundice when fully constituted. Its papillary structure consists of coalescent fringes producing a typical glandular appearance. Finaly, it evolves very little, therefore is of good hope of survival even after palliative treatment