A case report on resection of small liver cancer growing into the bile duct

Abstract

This report of a case describes resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with tumor extension into the bile duct. In a 51-year-old male with jaundice direct cholangiography demonstrated filling defect in the upper bile duct. Ultrasound, computed tomography and hepatic angiography showed no evidence of focal liver mass. Operation disclosed HCC measuring 2 cm in the caudate lobe with tumor extension into the bile duct. Tumor was successfully resected.
More than 100 cases of HCC with tumor extension into the bile duct have been reported. Correct diagnosis was established in 39%. Twenty-seven tumors were resected and only 7 tumors were smaller than 2 cm. Mean survival time of unresectable tumors is 166 days, whereas that of resectable tumors is 15 months.