Role of Coagulation Irregularities in Cholangiocarcinoma: A review

  • Hafsa Hamid Department of Biotechnology, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
  • Sladjana Coric Clinical Center of Montenegro, Department of Cardiology, Podgorica, Montenegro
  • Saira Rafaqat Department of Zoology, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
  • Sanja Gluscevic Clinical Center of Montenegro, Department of Neurology, Podgorica, Montenegro
  • Filiz Mercantepe Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Rize, Turkey
  • Aleksandra Klisic University of Montenegro-Faculty of Medicine, Podgorica, Montenegro Center for Laboratory Diagnostics, Primary Health Care Center, Podgorica, Montenegro
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5937/jomb0-56538

Abstract


Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a malignancy that originates from the biliary epithelium, presenting either intrahepatically or extrahepatically. It is characterized by a late-stage diagnosis and a poor overall prognosis. D-dimer, a biomarker indicative of coagulation and fibrinolysis activation, is believed to play a significant role in cancer progression, with elevated plasma levels correlating positively with metastatic disease and advanced cancer stages. 

In intrahepatic CCA, fibrinogen has been identified as an independent prognostic factor, associated with adverse outcomes and reflects systemic inflammatory responses. The increased expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator has been linked to lymphatic invasion and metastatic spread in CCA patients. Additionally, a preoperative elevation in prothrombin time may predict reduced survival rates for individuals underging potentially curative surgical interventions. P-selectin, which interacts predominantly with leukocyte ligands, has the potential to promote tumorigenesis and facilitate metastatic dissemination of mucin-producing carcinomas. Moreover, prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time may provide valuable insights into the extent of parenchymal involvement in CCA. 

This review aims to elucidate the role of coagulation abnormalities within the pathophysiology of cholangiocarcinoma.

Published
2025/10/29
Issue
Ahead of print
Section
Review article

Copyright (c) 2025 Hafsa Hamid, Sladjana Coric, Saira Rafaqat, Sanja Gluscevic, Filiz Mercantepe, Aleksandra Klisic

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