CHOLANGIOCARCINOMA. SERIES CANCER ETIOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENTS

Cholangiocarcinoma presents a challenge for cancer specialists all over the world. Neoplasia of the biliary tract are rare, accounting for approximately 3% of all gastrointestinal tumours with an incidence of about three per 100,000; but rates have been rising rapidly in recent years. This cancer is one of the major killers: at the time of diagnosis, less than 30% of patients are candidates for complete resection. For unresectable cholangiocarcinomas, median survival is less than one year. Given the rarity of the disease, the literature on cholangiocarcinomas is scant. However, the increasing incidence of this highly lethal malignancy should capture the attention of physicians and stimulate further research.
Designed for specialists, this book highlights the main clinicopathologic features of cholangiocarcinoma and is an essential clinical guide for oncologists, surgeons, radiotherapists, radiologists, gastroenterologists and all physicians taking care of patients with biliary tract cancers.

This book offers an expert overview of the disease starting from the embryology and anatomy of the biliary tree. Each chapter provides a detailed up-to-date description of etiopathogenetic factors, epidemiology, histopathology, molecular biology and staging, emphasizing clinical features and standard approaches to biliary tract cancer, with a summary of recent literature evidence. The book also covers the diagnostic work-up and outlines the current status of imaging techniques with an overview of recent advances in surgery and locoregional and systemic therapy, in addition to the follow-up and palliative care of cholangiocarcinoma patients.

Table of Contents:
Preface
1. Cholangiocarcinoma: Introduction
2. Surgical Anatomy of the Biliary Tract
3. New Insights into Epidemiology of Cholangiocarcinoma
4. Risk Factors of Cholangiocarcinoma
5. Molecular Biology of Cholangiocarcinoma
6. Carcinogenesis of Cholangiocarcinoma
7. Histopathology of Cholangiocarcinoma
8. Staging of Cholangiocarcinoma
9. Clinical Features of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma
10. Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Clinical Features
11. Circulating Biomarkers
12. Ultrasonography (US) / Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography (CEUS) for Cholangiocarcinoma
13. Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and Echoendoscopy for Cholangiocarcinoma
14. Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography (PTC) for Cholangiocarcinoma
15. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) for Cholangiocarcinoma
16. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) for Cholangiocarcinoma
17. Surgical Treatment for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma
18. Surgical Treatment for Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma
19. Lymphadenectomy for Cholangiocarcinoma
20. Portal Vein Embolization and Cholangiocarcinoma
21. Associating Liver Partition with Portal Vein Ligation for Staged Hepatectomy (ALPPS) for Cholangiocarcinoma?
22. Liver Transplantation for Cholangiocarcinoma
23. Radiotherapy and Brachytherapy for Unresectable Cholangiocarcinoma
24. Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE)
25. Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) for Unresectable Cholangiocarcinoma
26. Yttrium-90 Microsphere Radioembolization for Unresectable Cholangiocarcinoma
27. Photodynamic Therapy in Cholangiocarcinoma
28. Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Cholangiocarcinoma
29. Targeted Therapies for Cholangiocarcinoma
30. Adjuvant Treatment and Follow-Up Strategies
31. Palliative Care for Cholangiocarcinoma
32. Diagnostic and Therapeutic Algorithms for Cholangiocarcinoma
Index