Serum and biliary insulin-like growth factor I and vascular endothelial growth factor in determining the cause of obstructive cholestasis.

Background: Cholangiocarcinoma cells express and secrete insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Objective: To measure IGF-I and VEGF in bile and serum of patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and to evaluate their performance as diagnostic markers.

Design: Cross-sectional study.