Ulcerative Colitis Associated with Cholangiocellular Carcinoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

To investigate the possibility for Ulcerative Colitis (UC) to progress to cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC), clinical data of a UC patient with concomitant CCC were analyzed and the relevant literature was reviewed. The patient was diagnosed with UC 14 years prior and had been treated with sulfasalazine. Her UC symptoms were alleviated after administration of sulfasalazine, but liver function was repeatedly found to be abnormal. She was diagnosed with CCC by ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. A review of the literature suggests that UC is easily associated with concomitant primary sclerosing cholangitis, which progresses to CCC in 11% of cases. Clinicians should be aware that UC may progress into CCC. UC patients with repeated abnormal liver function, especially those who have serum alkaline phosphatase elevation, should undergo relevant examinations to clarify the diagnosis.