Rare Case of Metastatic Cholangiocarcinoma leading to Panhypopituitarism
With the lack of current screening tests for cholangiocarcinoma recommended
for routine use and the often-insidious onset of the disease, it is imperative
to recognize the symptomatology of the disease and initiate treatment early,
as it will impact the quality of life and goals of care of the individual involved.
During the last 30-years, it appears that the incidence of biliary
tract cancers in the United States is increasing.
This increase may be due in part to increased recognition of the diagnosis of biliary
cancer, cases which may previously have been classified as cancer
of unknown origin.
Gallbladder cancer is more common in women than in men and
in some countries, the rates are three times higher for women.
Its clinical presentation is often variable and
the majority of patients develop symptoms at advantage stages.
It may present with biliary obstruction and associated symptoms
of jaundice, pruritus, clay-colored stools, dark urine or abdominal
pain (30-50%), weight loss (30-50%), and fever (up to 20%).
Some patients are asymptomatic, with the lesions detected incidentally
when imaging is obtained as part of the workup of abnormal liver blood tests.
Due to its lack of specific diagnostic criteria and variability in symptoms,
it frequently presents at a late stage.
Intern Med Open J. 2023; 7(1): 1-3. doi: 10.17140/IMOJ-7-122
