Differentiation of malignant and benign proximal bile duct strictures: The diagnostic dilemma

Table 1 Demographic features, presenting symptoms and laboratory findings in patients resected for presumed HCCA

	Malignant (n = 58)	Benign (n = 10)	P
Demographics
Gender male/female	35/23	3/7	0.09
Mean age (range)	62 (30-80)	61 (40-71)	0.62
Prior history of cholecystectomy	6 (10%)	3 (30%)	0.12
Presenting symptoms
Jaundice	46 (79%)	6 (60%)	0.23
Abdominal pain	27 (47%)	6 (60%)	0.51
Weight loss	34 (59%)	4 (40%)	0.32
Fever	2 (3%)	2 (20%)	0.10
Preoperative laboratory findings
Bilirubin (μmol/L)	144 (± 15)	107 (± 35)	0.36
AP (U/L)	430 (± 61)	371 (± 64)	0.73
AST (U/L)	119 (± 12)	58 (± 15)	0.02
ALT (U/L)	190 (± 21)	88 (± 22)	0.03
GGT (U/L)	675 (± 89)	405 (± 114)	0.32
LDH (U/L)	313 (± 20)	277 (± 30)	0.42
PT (Prolonged-Normal)	3-33 (8%)	1-6 (14%)	0.62

HCCA: Hilar cholangiocarcinoma; AST: Aspartate aminotransferase; ALT: Alanine aminotransferase; GGT: Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase; LDH: Lactate dehydrogenase; PT: Prothrombin time; AP: Alkaline phosphatase.