Recent advances in the molecular and cellular biology, diagnosis, and treatment of biliary tract cancer are reviewed. Several studies have delineated the molecular and cellular biology of cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder carcinoma. Hepatocyte growth factor seems to be mitogenic to gallbladder carcinoma, and its inhibition may have a therapeutic role in this disease. Evidence against an adenomandash;carcinoma pathway in gallbladder mucosa is presented. Helical computed tomography may improve staging accuracy in biliary tract disease and plays a definite role in diagnosis of and treatment planning in gallbladder polyps. Complete surgical resection continues to provide the best long-term prognosis, and surgical drainage is most beneficial in cholangiocarcinoma. Controversy continues about the effects of laparoscopic procedures and abdominal wall tumor recurrence.
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