SHOULD PATIENTS WITH UNRESECTABLE CHOLANGIOCARCINOMA AND JAUNDICE BE MANAGED VIA ENDOSCOPY WITH STENTS, INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGISTS WITH DRAINS, OR BOTH?

Cholangiocarcinoma is the second most common primary liver tumor, but overall it is rare. Its incidence, like that of hepatocellular carcinoma, is on the rise. Patients may be diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma early if the common hepatic or common bile duct is involved. In these patients, biliary obstruction and jaundice will develop, and the patient will seek treatment earlier in the course of the disease. If the tumor is perihilar or intrahepatic, jaundice may not develop for some time, and the disease is more likely to be advanced at the time of diagnosis.