Mechanism Research Progress of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Prevention and Treatment of Cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma is a bile duct adenocarcinoma derived from the bile duct epithelium. Current treatment strategies for cholangiocarcinoma include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Surgical treatment is the first choice for all subtypes of cholangiocarcinoma. However, cholangiocarcinoma has the characteristics of high malignancy, easy recurrence after surgery, and low 5-year survival rates. Recent studies have found that many traditional Chinese medicines exhibit excellent anti-tumor effects in the treatment of various cancers, including cholangiocarcinoma. These medicines have advantages, such as low prices and abundant reserves, and are considered as an effective and safe complementary and alternative therapy for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma. This article aims to review the effects of traditional Chinese medicine on cholangiocarcinoma from different aspects and levels in recent years. Results will provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of cholangiocarcinoma.