Bile duct adenocarcinoma with minor micropapillary component: a case report

Invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) is defined as a carcinoma composed of small clusters of tumor cells lying within clear spaces which simulate lymphovascular channels. This histologic pattern has been described in various organs, including the breast, lung, urinary bladder, ovary, stomach, pancreas, and major salivary glands. Although rarely observed as a pure histologic component, IMPC is usually mixed with conventional carcinoma, and is therefore often referred to as carcinoma with a micropapillary component. IMPCs are invariably associated with a high degree of aggressiveness, extensive lymphovascular invasion, extensive lymph node metastases, and poor prognosis. Here a case of bile duct adenocarcinoma with minor micropapillary component is described.