Tag Archives: Biliary Tract Tumours

Main Clinical Manifestations of Biliary Tract Tumours

Biliary tract tumours comprise neoplasms of the gall-bladder, cystic duct, extra-hepatic bile ducts, and intra-hepatic bile ducts. Most are malignant (gall-bladder carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma) and present late; benign lesions are rare and usually detected incidentally. Symptom patterns reflect anatomical location, growth morphology, and degree of biliary obstruction. Painless obstructive jaundiceProgressive conjugated hyper-bilirubinaemia with scleral icterus, dark urine, and acholic stools is the hallmark of hilar or distal cholangiocarcinoma and of advanced gall-bladder carcinoma. Pruritus is often intense and may precede visible icterus. Right-upper-quadrain painA constant dull ache or vague heaviness is typical of gall-bladder cancer; intermittent colicky pain suggests concomitant cholelithiasis... Learn more