Cholangiocarcinoma in association with Thorotrast exposure

J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Surg. 2004;11(6):430-3. doi: 10.1007/s00534-004-0924-5.

Abstract

Thorotrast is a colloidal suspension of thorium dioxide that was used as an intravascular contrast agent until the 1950's. It is retained by the reticuloendothelial system, and because it emits densely ionizing radioactivity thorium dioxide it is carcinogenic. Two patients with prior thorium dioxide exposure diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma and recently treated at the Massachusetts General Hospital are presented. Radiology, treatment, pathologic findings, and relevant literature are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / surgery
  • Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic*
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / diagnosis
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / etiology*
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / surgery
  • Female
  • Hepatectomy
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / etiology*
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / surgery
  • Thorium Dioxide / adverse effects*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Thorium Dioxide