[7 cases of carcinoma of the distal choledochus]

Seven patients with carcinoma of the lower third of the extrahepatic bile duct over a twenty year period, were analyzed with emphasis to the presentation, laboratory, surgical findings, histology and outcome. There were four males and three females. The mean age was 59 years (range 53 to 68). All patients presented jaundice, abdominal pain and weight loss. Serum bilirubin levels were over 5 mg/dL in six patients (86%). The most useful diagnostic studies were endoscopic cholangiography, percutaneous cholangiography and computed tomography. All patients underwent a Whipple procedure. There was no operative mortality. In the long term follow-up, three patients were free of disease, and four had died. Tumor recurrence was high (43%) in spite of the curative resection.