[Macroscopic study of cholangiocarcinoma]

Fourty three autopsy cases of cholangiocarcinoma and 18 cases of Thorotrast-related cholangiocarcinoma were macroscopically studied. They were classified into two types, according to the intrahepatic location of the tumors; middle-peripheral type and hilar type. Most Thorotrast-related cases (83%) were middle-peripheral type, while the non-Thorotrast-related cases were hilar type (68%). According to the gross characteristics of the tumor. They were classified into four gross types: infiltrative type (54%), nodular type (21%), periductal type (18%), and diffuse type (7%). Non-specific liver cirrhosis (mixed macro and micronodular type) was associated in 4 of non-Thorotrast related cases, and the association of biliary cirrhosis was found in 3 of the non-Thorotrast cases of the hilar type.