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Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery
Published in: Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery 6/2012

01-08-2012 | Review Article

Preneoplastic conditions underlying bile duct cancer

Authors: Lena Sibulesky, Justin Nguyen, Tushar Patel

Published in: Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery | Issue 6/2012

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Abstract

Background

Malignancies arising from the biliary tract can arise from the epithelial lining of the biliary tract and surrounding tissues. Conditions that predispose to malignancy as well as preneoplastic changes in biliary tract epithelia have been identified. In this overview, we discuss preneoplastic conditions of the biliary tract and emphasize their clinical relevance.

Results

Chronic biliary tract inflammation predisposes to cancer in the biliary tract. Biliary tract carcinogenesis involves a multistep process as a consequence of chronic biliary epithelial injury or inflammation. Reminiscent of other gastrointestinal epithelial malignancies such as gastric, colon, and pancreatic cancer, biliary tract cancers may evolve via multistep progression from epithelial hyperplasia and dysplasia to malignant transformation. The potential role of initiating cells is also becoming recognized.

Conclusions

In spite of improved risk factor recognition, and advances in diagnostic tools, the early diagnosis of pre-malignant or malignant biliary tract conditions is extremely challenging, and there is a paucity of evidence on which to base their management. As a result, the role of pre-emptive surgery remains largely undefined.
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Metadata
Title
Preneoplastic conditions underlying bile duct cancer
Authors
Lena Sibulesky
Justin Nguyen
Tushar Patel
Publication date
01-08-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery / Issue 6/2012
Print ISSN: 1435-2443
Electronic ISSN: 1435-2451
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00423-012-0943-7

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