Association between cholangiocarcinoma and liver flukes: review of epidemiological studies

According to official medical statistics, liver fluke infections caused by Opisthorchis felineus, Opisthorchis viverrini and Clonorchis sinensis, are reported annually in the Southeast Asia, European countries and the Russian Federation. These infections are the main cause of digestive system diseases in the population of endemic regions.

The aim of the review is to analyze the findings of epidemiological studies and to assess the relationship between liver and bile duct cancer and Opisthorchiidae liver fluke infections.

Materials and methods. The authors reviewed original studies published in 1974–2019 via the MEDLINE databases and the eLIBRARY scientific digital library.

Results. The studies have shown that cholangiocarcinoma is a significant medical and social problem in the trematode-endemic areas of Southeast Asia due to the absence of specific symptoms, long asymptomatic course, resistance to therapy and high mortality of patients. Long-term infection caused by trematodes Opisthorchis viverrini and Clonorchis sinensis is associated with a significant risk of developing cholangiocellular cancer. An epidemiological multicenter study is required to establish the relationship between the Opisthorchis felineus infection and cholangiocarcinoma in the population of endemic regions in the Russian Federation.

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