What laboratory tests should be sent off if cholangiocarcinoma is suspected?
Given the low incidence of cholangiocarcinoma in the US, physicians need to suspect cholangiocarcinoma in any at-risk individual, often with chronic liver disease. Routine liver function tests should be ordered, often revealing a nonspecific cholestatic pattern. Certain tumor markers including CEA, CA 19-9, and AFP should be ordered, however, these are positive in less than 40% of cases.
