What is intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma?
The bile ducts inside the liver are called intrahepatic bile ducts. Cancers seen in these channels are called intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma. It is the second most common type of cancer in the liver and accounts for 10-20 percent of all liver tumors.
What are the causes of intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma?
This type of cancer occurs due to mutations in the DNA of cells in the bile ducts. However, it is not known exactly what causes mutation in DNA.
What are the symptoms of intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma?
This type of cancer, which usually occurs at older ages, does not show symptoms in the early stages. When tumors begin to show symptoms, the disease commonly causes complaints such as jaundice, weakness, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, unexplained weight loss, skin itching, digestive problems, white feces, dark urine and fever.
How is intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma diagnosed?
Bilirubin level is checked in blood tests. It is checked whether there is a tumor with ultrasound. In CT and MRI, it is determined in which region the tumor occurs and whether it has spread. For definitive diagnosis, a biopsy is performed. During biopsy, a tissue sample is taken and sent for pathology analysis.
ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio Pancreatography) is another diagnostic method. PET scanning is the last method used. In this scan, it is determined what stage the cancer is in, as well as which organs the tumor has metastasized to.
How is intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma treated?
If the cancer is not at an advanced stage and surgery is possible, surgical treatment is preferred. However, in advanced stages that are not suitable for surgery, only radiotherapy and chemoradiation treatments are applied.