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Hou et al. Hepatoma Res 2023;9:35 Hepatoma Research
DOI: 10.20517/2394-5079.2023.40

Opinion Open Access

Perspective of tumor heterogeneity for treatments of

intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with intrahepatic
lithiasis

3
2
1
Wenjie Hou , Yifan Tu , Minghua Zheng , Qiqiang Zeng 4
1
Radiological Department, Wenzhou heping international hospital, WenZhou 325000, Zhejiang, China.
2
The First Clinical Medical College of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China.
3
Department of Infection and Liver Diseases, Liver Research Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou, WenZhou 325000,
Zhejiang, China.
4
Department of General Surgery, Wenzhou heping international hospital, WenZhou 325000, Zhejiang, China.
Correspondence to: Prof. Qiqiang Zeng, Department of General Surgery, Wenzhou heping international hospital, 1919#ouyue
road, WenZhou 325000, Zhejiang, China. E-mail: zengqiqiangwz@163.com
How to cite this article: Hou W, Tu Y, Zheng M, Zeng Q. Perspective of tumor heterogeneity for treatments of
intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with intrahepatic lithiasis. Hepatoma Res 2023;9:35. https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2394-
5079.2023.40
Received: 8 May 2023 First Decision: 13 Jun 2023 Revised: 28 Jun 2023 Accepted: 25 Jul 2023 Published: 31 Jul 2023
Academic Editors: Timothy M Pawlik, Giuliano Ramadori, Gabriele Missale Copy Editor: Yanbing Bai Production Editor:
Yanbing Bai

Abstract
The heterogeneity of tumors results in significantly distinct biological characteristics of intrahepatic
cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) caused by different etiologies. Among them, ICC caused by intrahepatic lithiasis (IHL-
ICC) presents challenges in early detection, tumor staging, and surgical treatment, and has the poorest prognosis
among all etiologies of ICC patients. Thus, it is essential to focus on early assessment of the possibility of
developing ICC, prompt intervention of intrahepatic lithiasis, anatomical resection of hepatic parenchyma
corresponding to the branch of the intrahepatic bile duct undergoing cancerous transformation, and enhanced
postoperative follow-up of hepatolithiasis and ICC for IHL-ICC patients. These interventions are crucial to improve
the clinical outcomes and overall survival of IHL-ICC patients.

Keywords: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, heterogeneity, etiology, intrahepatic lithiasis, early diagnosis,
treatment, prognosis

© The Author(s) 2023. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
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