Hepatitis B virus-Associated Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Has Distinct Clinical, Pathological and Radiological Characteristics: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a rare hepatic malignancy with a poor prognosis. It is known that Hepatitis B is both a risk factor and a prognosis factor for ICC. However, little is known about the clinical, pathological and radiological characteristics of ICC patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. A systematic review of relevant literature was performed using PubMed and EMBASE databases. HBV-associated ICC revealed several unique and interesting features, it was found to have higher alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), cancer antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) levels, capsule formation and cirrhosis, but associated with lower lymph node metastasis. Radiologically, it was shown that some of the HBV-associated ICC tend to mimic atypical radiological features of HCC. Pathologically, it was found that HBx protein gene expression was associated with HBV-associated ICC, and that hepatic progenitor cells may be an alternative origin for HBV-associated ICC. In conclusion, HBV-associated ICC has distinct clinical, pathological and radiological characteristics, but further research is needed to further understand the pathogenesis of the disease.