Ultrasound screening for cholangiocarcinoma could detect premalignant lesions and early-stage diseases with survival benefits: a population-based prospective study of 4,225 subjects in an endemic area

• Published in: BMC cancer Vol. 16; no. 1; p. 346
• Main Authors: Sungkasubun, Prakongboon, Siripongsakun, Surachate, Akkarachinorate, Kunlayanee, Vidhyarkorn, Sirachat, Worakitsitisatorn, Akeanong, Sricharunrat, Thaniya, Singharuksa, Sutida, Chanwat, Rawisak, Bunchaliew, Chairat, Charoenphattharaphesat, Sirima, Molek, Ruechuta, Yimyaem, Maneenop, Sornsamdang, Gaidganok, Soonklang, Kamonwan, Wittayasak, Kasiruck, Auewarakul, Chirayu U., Mahidol, Chulabhorn
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 02.06.2016; BioMed Central
• Subjects: Adult; Antigens; Bans; Bile Duct Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Bile Duct Neoplasms - mortality; Bile Duct Neoplasms - surgery; Bile ducts; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic - diagnostic imaging; Cancer; Cancer therapies; Cholangiocarcinoma; Cholangiocarcinoma - diagnostic imaging; Cholangiocarcinoma - mortality; Cholangiocarcinoma - surgery; Diagnosis; Disease-Free Survival; Early Detection of Cancer; Endemic Diseases; Female; Hepatitis; Hospitals; Humans; Liver cancer; Magnetic resonance imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Phosphatase; Population; Prospective Studies; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasonography; Ultrasound imaging; Thailand; Tumor markers; Premalignant lesions; Cholangiocarcinoma; Early detection; Ultrasonography; Cancer screening
• ISSN: 1471-2407; 1471-2407
• DOI: 10.1186/s12885-016-2390-2

Thailand has a high incidence of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), particularly in the north and northeastern regions. Most CCA patients come at a late, unresectable stage and presently no optimal screening test for CCA has been established. We determined the prevalence of CCA in a remote northern village and explored if screening could lead to early detection and survival benefits. A 5-year population-based study was started in October, 2011 for consented Thai individuals, aged 30-60 years. The screening program comprised blood testing, stool examination and serial ultrasonography every 6 months. During the first 3 years, 4,225 eligible individuals were enrolled. CCA was detected in 32 patients, with a mean age of 51.9 years (41-62 years), and 21/32 cases were at a curative resectable stage. The prevalence rate of CCA was 165.7 per 100,000 and one- and two-year incidence rate was 236.7/100,000 and 520.7/100,000, respectively. One- and 2-year overall survival rates of CCA patients were 90.9 and 61.5 %, respectively. Prognosis was better in resectable cases with 100 % 1-year and 77.8 % 2-year survival rates. Interestingly, premalignant pathological lesions (stage 0) were identified in 11 cases with 100 % 3-year survival rate. Serum biomarkers and alkaline phosphatase were not sufficient to detect early-stage disease. In 22 patients, stool samples were positive for Opistorchis viverrini, based on polymerase chain reaction. Detection of premalignant lesions and early-stage resectable CCA by ultrasonography resulted in improved clinical outcome. Ultrasonography should be offered as a first screening tool for CCA in an endemic area until other useful biological markers become available.