Cholangiocarcinoma, Light micrograph of a section from an affected liver. Cholangiocarcinoma is a form of cancer that is composed of mutated epithelial cells (purple) that originate in the bile ducts which drain bile from the liver into the small intestine. Cholangiocarcinoma is considered to be an incurable and rapidly lethal malignancy unless both the primary tumor and any metastases can be fully resected (removed surgically). No potentially curative treatment yet exists except surgery, but most patients have advanced stage disease at presentation and are inoperable at the time of diagnosis. Patients with cholangiocarcinoma are generally managed - though never cured - with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other palliative care measures. Magnification: x250 when printed at 10 centimetres wide. Human tissue.