Cholangiocarcinoma: epidemiology, mechanisms of carcinogenesis and prevention

Cholangiocarcinoma is a relatively rare cancer; worldwide it accounts for an estimated 15% of liver cancers. In most areas, the etiology is rather obscure, and identified risk factors such as hepatolithiasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and exposure to Thorotrast can account for only a small proportion of cases. In certain areas of southeast and eastern Asia, however, incidence rates are very high, and here there is a strong association with infection with the liver flukes Clonorchis sinensis and Opisthorchis viverrini. The mechanisms of carcinogenesis in O. viverrini infection have been the subject of considerable research; it seems that the presence of parasites induces DNA damage and mutations as a consequence of the formation of carcinogens/free radicals and of cellular proliferation of the intrahepatic bile duct epithelium. Preventive strategies in areas endemic for liver flukes appear straightforward, but breaking the cycle of infection has proved difficult in practice.