Surgical and comprehensive treatment for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patients from the perspective of tumor heterogeneity / 中华外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ICC) is generally found late along with extremely poor prognosis and lack of effective and standardized treatment. Tremendous heterogeneities exist in onset factors, geographic distribution, clinical manifestation, and biological characteristics of ICC patients. However, the relevant causes and mechanisms have not been clearly illustrated. Recent studies indicate that the diverse celluar origins of ICC, including liver cells, bile duct epithelial cells, glandular cells around the duct, and liver stem cells, etc. Besides, the tumorigenesis, progression and metastasis of ICC are closed related to metabolism such as glucose, lipid metabolism. It can be inferred that the varieties of biological characteristics and clinical manifestation of ICC patients are possibly closely linked with heterogeneous cellular origins, multiple metabolic mechanisms or pathways. Therefore, it′s necessary to conduct research with regard to the connection between cellular origins, cell metabolism and clinical manifestation, biological characteristics, and make further classifications. Based on the accurate classification, surgeons can exert corresponding surgical and comprehensive treatment strategies on ICC patients, attaining the goal of individualized and standardized treatment, ultimately, improving prognosis and prolonging survival time.