ABSTRACT
C holangiocarcinoma is a malignant tumor arising in biliary epithelium. Although there are differences in the morphology and growth patterns of tumors arising in different parts of the biliary tree, all cholangiocarcinomas have biological similarities
based on their origin from the epithelial surface of the bile ducts. The incidence of bile duct malignancy appears to be increasing in Western countries where it is now approximately equal to hepatocellular carcinoma as a cause of death. The majority of cases occur in older patients.
