Brief Reports
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2004. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Oct 15, 2004; 10(20): 3060-3061
Published online Oct 15, 2004. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v10.i20.3060
Diagnostic and surgical therapeutic features of extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma without jaundice
Hui-Huan Tang, Shi Chang, Xian-Wei Wang, Yun Huang, Xue-Jun Gong, Jun Zhou
Hui-Huan Tang, Shi Chang, Xian-Wei Wang, Yun Huang, Xue-Jun Gong, Jun Zhou, Department of Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Shi Chang, Department of Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China. changshi@medmail.com.cn
Telephone: +86-731-4327468
Received: November 12, 2003
Revised: November 28, 2003
Accepted: December 8, 2003
Published online: October 15, 2004
Abstract

AIM: To analyze the diagnostic and therapeutic features of extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma (EBDC) without jaundice.

METHODS: Between 1985 and 1999, 101 patients underwent surgery for EBDC in Xiangya Hospital. These patients were divided into two groups: 84 jaundiced patients and 17 non-jaundiced patients according to preoperative serum total bilirubin levels. The clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, location, pathology and surgical resectability of the tumors were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS: The laboratory parameters such as hemoglobin, serum albumin ALB, AKP, γ -GT, and sonography appearance were similar between the two groups, and there was no significant difference in tumor location, pathological type and resectability. However, the number of non-jaundiced patients associated with chololithiasis was significantly greater than that of jaundiced patients (P = 0.008).

CONCLUSION: The presence of jaundice is not a reliable criterion for the prediction of the resectability and the extent of tumor progression in extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma. Decreased levels of blood hemoglobin and serum albumin, elevated levels of AKP and γ -GT, and /or abnormal sonography may be suggestive. Biopsy of a stenotic or thickened bile duct is strongly recommended for a correct diagnosis before the appearance of jaundice.

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