hepatic and biliary disorders
Tumors of the Gallbladder and Bile Ducts
Key Points
Biliary tract cancer (usually cholangiocarcinoma or gallbladder carcinoma) is uncommon. Suspect cancer if patients have an unexplained extrahepatic biliary obstruction or abdominal mass. Diagnose cancers by imaging, beginning with ultrasonography, followed by MRCP. Treat cancers symptomatically (eg, by stenting or bypassing obstructions in cholangiocarcinoma); occasionally, resection is warranted. Consider liver transplantation for selected patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma. 