Clinicopathological characteristics of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in patients with cirrhosis.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of this study was to explore the clinicopathological characteristics of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) in patients with cirrhosis. METHODOLOGY: A total of 155 patients with ICC were divided into those with cirrhosis (n=52) and those without cirrhosis (n=103). We compared the clinicopathological features of patients in both groups. RESULTS: The prevalence of HBsAg seropositivity and hepatolithiasis in ICC patients with cirrhosis was higher than that in patients without cirrhosis. Compared with noncirrhotic patients, cirrhotic patients had a higher incidence of reduced albumin (46.1% vs. 25.2%, p<0.008) and elevated total bilirubin (TBIL) levels (44.2% vs. 24.3%, p=0.011). The resectability rate in cirrhotic patients was lower than that in noncirrhotic patients (63.7% vs. 80.6%, p=0.033). CONCLUSIONS: Among ICC patients, we found marked differences in clinicopathological characteristics and therapeutic approaches between cirrhotic and noncirrhotic patients. ICC patients with cirrhosis may have poorer prognosis than those without cirrhosis.