Cholangiocarcinoma: a pathologists point of view

Cholangiocarcinoma is a relatively rare malignant tumor arising from the biliary epithelium of the intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts, the gallbladder, and the ampulla of Vater. This review article presents cholangiocarcinoma from the routine histopathological point of view. In addition to an overview of basic morphological, immunohistochemical, and molecular genetic characteristics of cholangiocarcinoma subtypes and precancerous lesions, the article is focused on intraoperative biopsies and on changes in the 8th edition of the TNM classification. Macroscopic and microscopic photo documentation and a review of recent literature are included.