Updated General Rules for Clinical and Pathological Studies on Cancer of the Biliary Tract: perihilar and distal cholangiocarcinomas

Abstract

An update edition of General Rule for Clinical and Pathological Studies on Cancer of the Biliary Tract was published in 2013. Unlike the previous edition, TNM classification and stage grouping of this version are identical to those of Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) system, 7^th edition. Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas are divided into perihilar and distal tumors; the former is defined as cholangiocarcinoma involving the hilar bile duct despite presence or absence of significant hepatic tumor mass. The new Japanese system was described here. However, the UICC has published 8th version in 2017, where TNM classification and stage grouping has considerably changed. Because the UICC system is a global standard in the oncologic field, all physicians in the world have to use the new UICC system since 2017. In this context, the Japanese general rule is already out of date; its early revision is needed.