Carcinoma arising in a congenitally dilated biliary tract. Report of a case and review of the literature.

A case of carcinoma arising in a congenitally dilated biliary tract is reported. Forty-seven cases in which congenital dilatation of the biliary tract was associated with carcinoma were found in the world literature and analyzed. The association of carcinoma with congenital biliary ductal dilatation was found to be higher than previously recognized. Carcinoma may arise in any cystic portion, extrahepatic or intrahepatic. If technically safe and feasible, primary excision of the choledochal cyst is advisable, to prevent the risk of later malignant change in the unexcised cyst.