PRIMARY INTRAHEPATIC BILIARY CYSTADENOMATOUS TUMORS

Background: Biliary cystadenoma and cystadenocarcinoma are rare tumors . The clinical features of, and optimal surgical management for these lesions have not been defined clearly. In this report, we describe thr ee cases of cystadenomatous tumors of the biliary tract: two of a cyst adenoma and one of a cystadenocarcinoma. The differential diagnosis of the cystic tumors of the liver in countries with a high prevalence of Liver hydatid disease is very important. Methods: The authors report their institution's experience from 1988 to 1995 in treating two cysta denomas and one cystadenocarcinoma and review previously reported case s in the Literature. Results: Clinical presentation is usually mild an d atypical. During operation, the mass was resected en bloc with a mar gin of normal liver tissue in the cases of cystadenomas and, in the ca se of cystadenocarcinoma, a left hepatectomy with drainage of the comm on bile duct was performed. The two patients with adenomas remain well at 1 and 7 years after operation and our patient with adenocarcinoma is free of disease 8 years later. Conclusions: The treatment of choice is radical excision of the mass, either with a wide margin of normal liver or by means of a typical lobectomy, depending on the size and lo cation of the lesion. When the lesion can be removed completely, the p rognosis is excellent. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.