Which of the following is a well-established risk factor for the development of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in South East Asian populations?

• A Hereditary spherocytosis
• B Infection with Opisthorchis viverrini or Clonorchis sinensis ✓
• C Use of combined oral contraceptives
• D Coeliac disease

Explanation

Liver flukes Opisthorchis viverrini and Clonorchis sinensis cause chronic inflammation and epithelial proliferation of the intrahepatic biliary tree and are established risk factors for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in Thailand, China, and Korea. Other accepted risk factors include hepatolithiasis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, choledochal cysts, Thorotrast exposure, and hepatitis A or C. Hereditary spherocytosis, oral contraceptives, and coeliac disease have no such association, making them implausible distractors.

Reference: Schwartz's Principles of Surgery, 11th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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