Assessment of endoscopic aspiration cytology and endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography in patients with cancer of the hepato-biliary tract. Part II.

Aspiration cytology and ERCP were evaluated in 66 patients with cancer of the hepato-biliary tract. Cytology was diagnostic in 100% of ampullary cancer, 83% of cancer of extrahepatic bile duct, 0% of cancer of intrahepatic bile duct, 25% of cancer of gall bladder and 0% of cancer of liver. ERCP was diagnostic in 65% of ampullary cancer, 90% of cancer of extrahepatic bile duct, 100% of cancer of intrahepatic bile duct, 25% of cancer of gall bladder and 25% of cancer of liver. Endoscopic findings was diagnostic in 77% of cancer of ampullary region. By combining these approaches, a diagnostic result was obtained in 100% of ampullary cancer, 96.5% of cancer of extrahepatic bile duct, 100% of cancer of intrahepatic bile duct, 50% of cancer of gall bladder and 25% of cancer of liver. It is concluded that the combined diagnostic approach has enhanced the diagnostic accuracy of malignant lesions of the hepato-biliary tract and that it has not yet led to an improvement in resectability and mortality.