Anatomy and pathology of perihilar extrahepatic bile duct tumors (Klatskin tumors)

Adenocarcinomas of the bile ducts (so-called cholangiocarcinomas) may originate from both intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts and constitute a rare tumor entity. Carcinomas of the perihilar and central extrahepatic bile ducts (so-called Klatskin's tumors) are demarcated as special tumor entities and patients with these carcinomas face a poor prognosis. As therapeutic options have improved with respect to both operative and conservative treatment strategies, sophisticated TNM classifications for the different parts of the bile duct system have been introduced in order to determine the anatomic spread as accurately as possible. The new classifications and modifications of the 7(th) edition are based on data from Asia and the U.S. Application of the new classifications is mandatory as of 1(st) January 2010.