STAGING OF CHOLANGIOCARCINOMA

Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT) and/or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) accurately stage Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), identifying the presence of nodal and distant metastasis or major vascular encasement of the portal vein or the hepatic arteries, or depicts extensive involvement of the hepatic duct reaching up to second-order biliary radicals. They also help to identify the extent of local tumor invasion, which has a major impact on management. Moreover, imaging helps to identify any anatomical variations in the hepatic arterial or venous circulation and the biliary ductal system, which is of vital importance in surgical planning. This chapter examines the possibilities of imaging modalities in allocating the different types of CCAs in the proper stage, according to the latest staging systems.