Recent update of endoscopic diagnosis of hilar cholangiocarcinoma / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

The diagnosis of hilar cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is usually accomplished through a combination of imaging modalities and endoscopic examination including tissue sampling. Although high quality cross-sectional imagings provide evidences for hilar obstruction and a malignancy arising from the bile duct, a definitive diagnosis and staging often obtained through the use of endoscopic procedures. It can provide complementary information for accurate tumor extension and tissue acquisition for histologic confirmation. These informations are important in determining therapeutic options. However, despite the various available techniques, the diagnosis and accurate staging of hilar CCA is often still challenging. Newly developed adjunctive diagnostic endoscopic techniques including intraductal ultrasound and cholangioscopy improve the accuracy of endoscopic diagnosis of this lesion. Multiple endoscopic modalities can be tried to obtain accurate assessment of the tumor. Therefore, endoscopy will continue to occupy an important position in assessment of the hilar CCA.