Mucin-producing cholangiocarcinoma: an autopsy study in Hong Kong

Fifty autopsy cases (35 male and 15 female) of mucin-secreting cholangiocarcinoma in Chinese were reviewed. The peak incidence was in the 7th decade for males and in the 6th for females. Massive (37), multinodular (8), diffuse (1) and hilar (4) types were recognized grossly. The hilar tumours arose from the main intrahepatic ducts and the other types originated from smaller ducts. The overall association with stones was 20% and clonorchiasis 92%. Cirrhosis occurred in only 4% of cases. There was an association between the degree of mucin secretion and the presence and severity of clonorchiasis.