Resective operations for biliary carcinoma

Records of 25 consecutive patients who underwent resection for proximal bile duct tumor (3 extended right hepatic lobectomies, 6 left hepatic lobectomies, 16 skeletonization resections) and records of 21 patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for distal bile duct carcinoma were reviewed to assess the value of resective therapy. The operative mortality rate for patients with resected proximal bile duct tumor was 4 per cent (0 per cent for liver resection) and that of distal bile duct tumor, 4.6 per cent. The 3- and 5-year actuarial survival rates for patients with proximal bile duct tumor were 44 per cent and 35 per cent, respectively; all except one patient eventually died of disease. Survival was better for patients who had curative resection (margins microscopically free of tumor). The 5-year actuarial survival rate for patients with distal bile duct carcinoma was 58 +/- 12 (SE) per cent, with patients who had negative nodes surviving longer than patients with positive nodes. When major hepatic resection and pancreatoduodenectomy can be performed in selected patients with low operative mortality, patients with bile duct carcinoma should be assessed by an experienced hepatobiliary multidisciplinary group before a decision is made in favor of palliative, endoscopic, or percutaneous techniques because surgical resection appears to offer the best possible long-term survival and probably the best quality of palliation.     

Resective operations for biliary carcinoma

Records of 25 consecutive patients who underwent resection for proximal bile duct tumor (3 extended right hepatic lobectomies, 6 left hepatic lobectomies, 16 skeletonization resections) and records of 21 patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for distal bile duct carcinoma were reviewed to assess the value of resective therapy. The operative mortality rate for patients with resected proximal bile duct tumor was 4 per cent (0 per cent for liver resection) and that of distal bile duct tumor, 4.6 per cent. The 3- and 5-year actuarial survival rates for patients with proximal bile duct tumor were 44 per cent and 35 per cent, respectively; all except one patient eventually died of disease. Survival was better for patients who had curative resection (margins microscopically free of tumor). The 5-year actuarial survival rate for patients with distal bile duct carcinoma was 58±12 (SE) per cent, with patients who had negative nodes surviving longer than patients with positive nodes. When major hepatic resection and pancreatoduodenectomy can be performed in selected patients with low operative mortality, patients with bile duct carcinoma should be assessed by an experienced hepatobiliary multidisciplinary group before a decision is made in favor of palliative, endoscopic, or percutaneous techniques because surgical resection appears to offer the best possible long-term survival and probably the best quality of palliation. This report is the basis of a paper read by R.L.R. at the 90th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Surgical Society, Sapporo, Japan, 1990     

Results of surgical resection for patients with hilar bile duct cancer: application of extended hepatectomy after biliary drainage and hemihepatic portal vein embolization

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of an aggressive surgical approach incorporating major hepatic resection after biliary drainage and preoperative portal vein embolization for patients with hilar bile duct cancer. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Although many surgeons have emphasized the importance of major hepatectomy in terms of curative resection for patients with hilar bile duct cancer, this procedure results in a high incidence of postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients with cholestasis-induced impaired liver function. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 140 patients with hilar bile duct cancer treated from 1990 through 2001. Resectional surgery was performed in 79 patients, 69 of whom underwent major hepatic resection. Thirteen patients underwent concomitant pancreaticoduodenectomy. Preoperative biliary drainage was carried out in all 65 patients who had obstructive jaundice. Portal vein embolization was conducted in 41 of 51 patients undergoing extended right hepatectomy. Short- and long-term outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: No patient experienced postoperative liver failure (maximum total bilirubin level, 5.4 mg/dL). The in-hospital mortality rate was 1.3% (1 in 79, resulting from cerebral infarction). A histologically negative resection margin was obtained more frequently when the scheduled extended hepatic resection was conducted (75% vs 44%, P = 0.0178). The estimated 5-year survival rate was 40% when histologically negative resection margins were obtained, but only 6% if the margins were positive. Multivariate analysis identified the resection margin and nodal status as independent factors predictive of survival. CONCLUSIONS: Extensive resection, mainly extended right hemihepatectomy, after biliary drainage and preoperative portal vein embolization, when necessary, for patients with hilar bile duct cancer can be performed safely and is more likely to result in histologically negative margins than other resection methods.     

"Anatomic" right hepatic trisectionectomy (extended right hepatectomy) with caudate lobectomy for hilar cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: The techniques of right hepatic trisectionectomy are now standardized in patients with hepatocellular or metastatic carcinoma, but not in those with hilar cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS: Under preoperative diagnosis of hilar cholangiocarcinoma, 8 patients underwent "anatomic" right hepatic trisectionectomy with en bloc resection of the caudate lobe and the extrahepatic bile duct, in which the bile ducts of the left lateral section were divided at the left side of the umbilical fissure following complete dissection of the umbilical plate. RESULTS: Liver resection was successfully performed, and all patients were discharged from the hospital in good condition, giving a mortality of 0%. All patients were histologically diagnosed as having cholangiocarcinoma. The proximal resection margins were cancer-negative in 7 patients and cancer-positive in 1 patient. Four patients with multiple lymph node metastases died of cancer recurrence within 3 years after hepatectomy. One patient died of liver failure without recurrence 42 months after hepatectomy. The remaining 3 patients without lymph node metastasis are now alive after more than 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomic right hepatic trisectionectomy with caudate lobectomy can produce a longer proximal resection margin and can offer a better chance of long-term survival in some selected patients with advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma.     

Management strategies in resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Between 1960 and 1990, resection was performed in 23 of 122 patients who underwent surgical treatment for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Local excision of the lesion alone was performed in 10 cases (43%). Hepatic resection for tumor extending to the secondary bile ducts or hepatic parenchyma was performed in 13 cases (57%): extended right hepatectomy (3), right hepatectomy (1), extended left hepatectomy (6), left hepatectomy (2), and left lobectectomy (1). In three other cases, resection by total hepatectomy and liver transplantation was performed, but these were not included in the analysis of results for resection. Significant operative complications occurred in only two cases (8.7%), and the operative mortality rate was zero. In four cases, complete excision of the tumor could not be achieved macroscopically (macroscopic curative resection rate 19/122; 15.6%). In nine cases, the margins of the resected specimens were free from tumor on histologic examination (microscopic curative resection rate, 9/122; 7.4%). In 10 cases, the resection margins were found to contain tumor on histologic examination. The overall survival rate was 87% at 1 year, 63% at 2 years, and 25% at 3 years (median survival, 24 months). The survival and freedom from recurrence rates for patients with free resection margins was superior to that for patients with involved resection margins or residual macroscopic disease. A potentially curative resection, with histologically negative margins and no recurrence to date, was achieved in seven patients using the following procedures: local excision for two type I lesions; left hepatectomy plus excision of segment 1 for two type IIIb lesions and one type IV lesion; right hepatectomy and right hepatectomy plus excision of segment 1 for two type IIIa lesions. These results indicate that improved survival in hilar cholangiocarcinoma can be achieved by resection, with minimal morbidity and zero mortality rates, if histologically free resection margins are obtained. To achieve this, we recommend the following procedures for each type of lesion, based on our experience and on anatomic considerations: local excision for type I; local excision plus resection of segment 1 for type II; local excision, resection of segment 1, and right or left hepatectomy for types IIIa and b; hepatectomy plus liver transplantation for type IV.     

Orthotopic liver transplantation after extended bile duct resection as treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma First long-terms results

Abstract Although the surgical treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma represents the only potentially curative option, survival figures remain low over the long term. After hilar and partial hepatic resections for hilar cholangiocarcinoma, loco-regional tumor recurrence appears as the primary site of failure. From April 1992 to April 1996, 14 patients underwent extended bile duct resections. Extended bile duct resections combine total hepatectomy, partial pancreatoduodenectomy, and liver transplantation in an attempt to eradicate the entire biliary tract without dissecting the hepatoduodenal ligament. The postoperative 60-day mortality rate was 14% ( n = 2). The rate of curative resections was 93% (13 of 14 extended bile duct resections). One- and 4-year survival rates after curative resections were 56% and 30%, respectively. The rate of curative resections increased by combining total hepatectomy, partial pancreatoduodenectomy, and liver transplantation, i.e., extended bile duct resection. However, survival figures have not improved accordingly. Therefore, this extended surgical procedure has to be implemented with caution and possibly not without modifications (e.g., multimodal treatment).     

Major hepatic resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma: analysis of 46 patients

HYPOTHESIS: Major hepatectomy, bile duct resection, and regional lymphadenectomy for hilar cholangiocarcinoma are associated with actual long-term (>5 years) survival. DESIGN: Retrospective outcome study. SETTING: Single tertiary referral institution. PATIENTS: Between 1979 and 1997, 46 consecutive patients had resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma by major hepatectomy, bile duct resection, and regional lymphadenectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Overall survival and tumor recurrence were correlated to clinicopathological factors, operative morbidity, and mortality. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients underwent left hepatectomy, 17 underwent right hepatectomy, and 4 had extended right hepatectomy. Eighteen patients underwent resection of segment 1. Negative (R0) resection margins were achieved in 37 patients (80%). The operative mortality rate was 9%, and the surgical morbidity rate was 52%. Actual 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates were 80%, 39%, and 26%, respectively. Factors adversely associated with patient survival rates included: male sex, lymph node metastases, tumor grade 3 or 4, elevated direct serum bilirubin level at diagnosis, elevated preoperative activated partial thromboplastin time, and more than 4 U of red blood cells transfused perioperatively. Tumor size and R0 resection approached significance for survival. Factors associated with tumor recurrence included: male sex, tumor grade 3 or 4, a low hemoglobin level both at diagnosis and preoperatively, and a low preoperative prothrombin time and low alkaline phosphatase level at diagnosis and preoperatively. Median time to recurrence was 3.6 years. Tumor recurrence was predominantly local and regional. CONCLUSIONS: The actual 5-year survival rate of 26% justifies major partial hepatectomy, bile duct resection, and regional lymphadenectomy for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. The high frequency of local and regional recurrence warrants investigation of adjuvant therapy.     

Carcinoma of the main hepatic duct junction: indications, operative morbidity and mortality, and long-term survival

Carcinoma of the main hepatic duct junction tends to spread extensively along the hepatic ducts into the liver parenchyma. Therefore extensive resection of the bile ducts combined with hepatic resection is the procedure of choice. Between January 1973 and April 1989, 25 of 50 patients with this type of carcinoma underwent resection, a resectability rate of 50%. One patient died of staphylococcal sepsis on the postoperative day 42 after right trisegmentectomy and resection of the bile ducts, a hospital death rate of 4%. Twenty-four patients were discharged from the hospital. The 5-year actuarial survival rate calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method was 19%. Four patients lived longer than 5 years after surgery; the longest survival was 9 years after right trisegmentectomy and resection of the bile ducts. These four patients had clear margins at the resected bile ducts. This article was designed to clarify the point at issue by presenting our results in terms of indications, operative morbidity and mortality, and long-term survival.     

肝门部胆管癌103例外科治疗远期疗效的评析

作者回顾总结了１９８６年１月～１９９６年１月十年间行手术治疗的１０３例肝门部胆管癌的临床特征、手术方式和远期生存率等。１０３例肝门胆管癌行手术切除者６６例,非切除者行胆管内外引流者３７例,总手术切除率为６４．１％。手术死亡率２．９％。手术切除组中行根治性切除者３６例,姑息性切除者３０例。根治性切除者１、３、５年的生存率分别为：９６．７％、２３．３％和１３．３％,最长生存者至今已达８年。而姑息性切除者３年生存率仅为３．８％,无５年生存者。作者提出新的肝门部胆管癌的临床分型法。发现肝门部胆管癌的组织类型及分化程度,与肿瘤浸润及转移特征密切相关,分化程度越差其预后亦越差。     

Is major hepatectomy with pancreatoduodenectomy justified for advanced biliary malignancy?

Background/Purpose Major hepatectomy with concomitant pancreatoduodenectomy (M-HPD) is usually indicated for the resection of diffuse bile duct cancer or advanced gallbladder cancer. This is the only procedure that can potentially cure such advanced cancers, so both a low mortality rate and long-term survival could potentially justify performing this procedure. Methods Between 1990 and 2005, the morbidity, mortality, and long-term survival of 26 patients with advanced biliary tract carcinoma 14 with diffuse bile duct cancer, 9 with advanced gallbladder cancer, and 3 with hilar bile duct cancer, who underwent hepatopancreatoduodectomy (HPD) were reviewed and analyzed. Results The overall morbidity and mortality rates were 30.8% and 0%, respectively. Postoperative infectious complications occurred in 6 patients (23.0%). The 5-year survival rate of the 14 patients with diffuse bile duct cancer who underwent HPD was 51.9%, while the 5-year survival rate in the 12 of these patients who underwent M-HPD was 61.4%. Patients with diffuse bile duct cancer without residual tumor and those without lymph node metastasis had 5-year survival rates of 68.6% and 80%, respectively. Thirty-three percent (2 of 6) of the patients who underwent M-HPD for advanced gallbladder cancer survived for more than 5 years. Conclusions Preoperative biliary drainage, portal embolization, complete external drainage of pancreatic juice, reduction of intraoperative bleeding, and prevention of bacterial colonization of bile may enable the incidence of mortality and hepatic failure to approach zero in patients who undergo HPD. Surgeons should strive for complete clearance of the tumor with a negative surgical margin to achieve long-term survival when performing M-HPD.     

Aggressive surgery for carcinoma of the gallbladder

Forty patients with gallbladder cancer were admitted to our institution in a 9-year period. For two patients with Nevin's stage I carcinoma who had undergone cholecystectomy, resection of the lower portion of the fourth and fifth segments of the liver and extrahepatic bile duct with dissection of lymph nodes was carried out as a second-stage operation. Thirteen patients with stage V carcinoma underwent extensive aggressive operations. Operative procedures comprised various types of liver resection with cholecystectomy and extrahepatic bile duct resection and wide lymph node dissection in all cases, portal vein reconstruction in 3, pancreatoduodenectomy in 3, partial colectomy in 3, and right nephrectomy in 1. The operative and in-hospital mortality rates were 0%. Two patients with stage I carcinoma are both doing well. Two patients with stage V carcinoma who underwent an extended operation are working without recurrence 7 years 8 months and 8 years 5 months after surgery. From our experiences we believe that long-term survival may be achieved by aggressive surgery if it is suitably indicated.     

Role of Hepatectomy in the Treatment of Hilar Bile Duct Carcinoma

Purpose. To clarify the role of hepatic resection in the surgical treatment of hilar bile duct carcinoma.Methods. Between 1980 and 1997, 68 patients underwent surgery for hilar bile duct carcinoma. The patients were divided into a hepatectomy group (n = 40) and a nonhepatectomized group (n = 28) depending on whether they underwent resection of the bile duct confluence in combination with hepatectomy, or alone, respectively. Background data, operative morbidity and mortality, and survival were retrospectively compared between the two groups.Results. There were no significant differences in morbidity and mortality, or in postoperative survival between the two groups (the 5-year survival rates being 20.6% in the hepatectomized group and 7.1% in the nonhepatectomized group; P = 0.0806). However, patients who underwent curative resection had significantly better postoperative survival than those who underwent noncurative resection (P = 0.048). Hepatectomy provided a significantly better cancer-free margin than bile duct resection alone (P = 0.0296).Conclusions. Although a countermeasure must be taken to decrease mortality, the introduction of hepatectomy with bile duct resection would provide a better cancer-free surgical margin than bile duct resection alone for hilar bile duct carcinoma. Curative resection contributed to long-term survival in this series.     

Portal vein resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma remains a difficult challenge for the surgeon. Achieving negative surgical margins when resecting this relatively uncommon tumor is technically demanding as a result of the close proximity of the bile duct bifurcation to the vascular inflow of the liver. A recent advance in surgical treatment is the addition of portal vein resection to the procedure. Resection of the portal vein increases the number of patients offered a potentially curative approach but is technically more difficult and may increase the risk of the procedure. This study reviews the results of portal vein resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Between 1998 and 2005, 60 patients underwent potentially curative resections of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Mean patient age was 64 +/- 12 years (range, 24-85 years). Liver resections performed along with biliary resection included 49 trisegmentectomies (37 right, 12 left) and 10 lobectomies (8 left, 2 right). One patient had only the bile duct resected. Four patients also had simultaneous pancreaticoduodenectomy performed. Twenty-six patients required portal vein resection and reconstruction to achieve negative margins, 3 of which also required reconstruction of the hepatic artery. Operative mortality was 8 per cent with an overall complication rate of 40 per cent. Patients who underwent portal vein resection had an operative mortality of 4 per cent, which was not different from the 12 per cent mortality in patients who did not undergo portal vein resection (P = 0.39). There was no difference in actuarial patient survival between patients who underwent portal vein resection and those who did not (5-year survival 39 per cent vs. 41 per cent, P = not significant). Negative margins were achieved in 80 per cent of cases and were associated with improved survival (P < 0.01). Five-year actuarial survival in patients undergoing resection with negative margins was 45 per cent. There was no difference in margin status or long-term survival between those patients who underwent portal vein resection and those who did not. Only negative margin status was associated with improved survival by multivariate analysis. Portal vein resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma is safe and allows a chance for long-term survival in otherwise unresectable patients.     

Prognostic factors after pancreatoduodenectomy with extended lymphadenectomy for distal bile duct cancer.

BACKGROUND: Since 1995, we have been performing pancreatoduodenectomy with regional and para-aortic lymph node dissection for patients with distal bile duct cancer. Prognostic indicators after extended lymphadenectomy have not been fully understood. HYPOTHESIS: Pancreatoduodenectomy with extended lymphadenectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy is the treatment of choice for patients with distal bile duct cancer. DESIGN: In a retrospective study, univariate and multivariate models were used to analyze the effect of patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and treatment factors on long-term survival. SETTING: Oita Medical University and its affiliated hospitals in Japan. PATIENTS: From 1995 to 1999, 27 patients with distal bile duct cancer underwent pancreatoduodenectomy with extended lymphadenectomy. In 9 patients fluorouracil (500 mg/d) was infused continuously for 14 days after surgery as adjuvant chemotherapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinicopathologic characteristics and long-term results. RESULTS: In 6 patients (22%) major surgical complications occurred including 1 in-hospital death (3.7%). For 26 patients, the survival rates were 65% for 1 year and 37% for 3 and 5 years. Univariate analysis found that the absence of lymph node metastasis, no more than 2 involved nodes, and negative resection margins were predictors of survival. Multivariate analysis with a Cox proportional hazards regression model revealed that favorable factors for survival included up to 2 positive nodes, negative resection margins, and the use of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with up to 2 positive lymph nodes had a more favorable prognosis than that of other patients. We recommend pancreatoduodenectomy with extended lymphadenectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with distal bile duct cancer.     

Surgical treatment for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (Klatskin's tumor)

Surgical treatment of hilar bile duct carcinoma remains difficult, which is due to the inadequate possibilities in assessing tumor extent during the preoperative diagnostic procedure as well as intraoperatively. Radical resection with negative histologic margins offers the best chance for long-term survival. The decision regarding the appropriate surgical approach is challenging due to the complexity of tumor localization and neighboring vascular structures. Aggressive resection demands extended liver resection, which is associated with the risk of postoperative liver failure. However, even limited surgery such as hilar resection can be curative and leads to long-term survival in individual cases. The principles of surgical oncology have led to more aggressive procedures, including the combination of liver transplantation and multivisceral resection, and can be performed with calculable morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, the high risk of tumor recurrence under long-term immunosuppression, the limited availability of donor organs and the excellent results of liver transplantation in non-malignant diseases do not justify this procedure at present. Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy has failed to demonstrate major benefit. In patients with irresectable tumor or distant metastases palliative measures are aimed at restoring an unobstructed bile flow with endoscopic placement of metal stents. Palliative treatment with additional radio- or photodynamic therapy may be considered in individual cases.     

Hepatopancreatoduodenectomy for anastomotic recurrence from residual cholangiocarcinoma: report of a case

Resection of cholangiocarcinoma often results in a positive ductal margin, from carcinoma in situ (CIS) near the main tumor; however, the biological behavior of the residual CIS after surgical resection remains equivocal. We report a case of late local recurrence of CIS, defined as long-term tumor progression from CIS residue at the ductal stump. The patient, a 73-year-old man, had undergone bile duct resection for distal cholangiocarcinoma, leaving positive ductal margins with CIS. A biliary stricture was found 10 years later at the site of anastomosis, and right hepatectomy with pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. Based on histological analogy and the evidence of remnant CIS, a final diagnosis of late local recurrence from the CIS foci was made. This uncommon mode of recurrence should be considered in patients with early-stage disease with expected favorable survival because salvage surgery is feasible for selected patients.     

Indication and outcome of extended right hemihepatectomy combined with pancreatoduodenectomy for bile duct carcinoma

During the past 10 years, we have performed extended right hemihepatectomy combined with pancreatoduodenectomy (rtHPD) in eight patients with bile duct carcinoma. We compared the results in these patients with those in 43 bile duct carcinoma patients who underwent extrahepatic bile duct resection with more extensive hepatectomy than hemihepatectomy. Our indication for rtHPD is bile duct carcinoma of the diffuse type involving the intrapancreatic bile duct. For patients with obstructive jaundice, biliary drainage was performed preferentially in the part of the liver to be preserved. Portal vein embolization was performed before extended right hemihepatectomy or left trisectorectomy. Complete external drainage of pancreatic juice followed by second-stage pancreatojejunostomy was performed in five rtHPD patients. There were no hospital deaths or hepatic failures. There were four 5-year survivors after rtHPD. There was no significant difference between the cumulative 5-year survival rates after rtHPD (71%) and non-HPD (42%). Patients with bile duct carcinoma whose prognosis can be improved only by rtHPD exist and should be treated by rtHPD. However, considering the reported high mortality rate after this procedure, rtHPD should not be performed in an institution where its safety cannot be guaranteed.     

Actual long-term outcome of extrahepatic bile duct cancer after surgical resection

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to analyze the actual long-term outcome after the surgical resection of extrahepatic bile duct cancer and to identify the characteristics shared by long-term survivors (5 years or longer). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Although reported 5-year survival rates of extrahepatic bile duct cancer lie between 20% and 30%, these data are not reflecting the actual cure rate. Some patients survive longer than 5 years with recurrent disease. In some patients, recurrence is detected after 5 years. Accordingly, true cure rate is probably substantially lower than the 5-year survival rate. METHODS: One hundred fifty-one patients from a total of 282 patients with extrahepatic bile duct cancer (excluding ampulla of Vater cancer) underwent surgical resection between 1986 and 1997. We analyzed the actual survival outcome and postresection prognostic factors after resection, which included hepatobiliary resection (HBR; extended either right or left hepatectomy, caudate lobectomy, and hilar bile duct resection, n = 23), bile duct resection (BDR; n = 25), and pancreatoduodenectomy (PD; n = 103). We also compared the clinicopathologic characteristics of actual long-term survivors (n = 49) with those who survived longer than 5 years and with short-term (<5 years) survivors. RESULTS: Forty-nine of the 151 resection cases (32.5%) survived 5 years or longer; there was no 5-year survivor in the nonresected cases. The actual 5-year survival rate was 47.8% after HBR (11 of 23), 28.0% after BDR (7 of 25), and 30.1% after PD (31 of 103) (P = 0.083). Tumor histology and lymph node metastasis were identified as independent prognostic factors by multivariate analysis. Some long-term survivors had poor postoperative prognostic factors such as T3, lymph node metastasis, or microscopic margin involvement, but none with a poorly differentiated tumor. Seven long-term survivors had recurrent disease at 5 years, and recurrence was detected after 5 years in 8 more patients. Therefore, the actual cure rate (<19.2%) was substantially less than the 5-year survival rate. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of extrahepatic bile duct cancer, resection should be considered and efforts should be made to obtain a tumor-free margin. An aggressive surgical approach will give some survival benefit to the patients with even advanced disease. Long-term follow up is needed before declaring "a cure," because late recurrence after 5 years is detected not infrequently. Adjuvant therapy, local and systemic, needs to be further developed.     

Outcome of Surgical Treatment of Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma

To evaluate surgical results and the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy in cases of hilar cholangiocarcinoma, we retrospectively analyzed 27 consecutive patients who underwent surgical resection (eight bile duct resections, 18 bile duct resections plus hepatectomy, one hepatopancreaticoduodenectomy). There was no operative mortality, and the morbidity was 37%. Curative resection (R0 resection) was achieved in 20 (74%) patients. Overall survival at 3 and 5 years was 44% and 27%, significantly higher than that of 47 patients who did not undergo resection (3.5% and 0% at 3 and 5 years, p < 0.0001). Survival of patients with positive margins (R1/2 resection) was poor; there were no 5-year survivors. However, survival was better than that of patients who did not undergo resection (median survival: 22 vs 9 months, p = 0.0007). Univariate analysis identified lymph node metastasis as a negative prognostic factor (p = 0.043). Median survival of patients who underwent adjuvant chemotherapy was significantly longer than that of patients who did not (42 vs. 22 months, p = 0.0428). Resection should be considered as the first option for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. There appears to be a survival advantage even in patients with cancer-positive margins. Adjuvant chemotherapy may increase long-term survival.     

肝门部胆管癌36例诊疗体会

目的探讨肝门部胆管癌的诊疗方法。方法回顾性分析1998年1月至2003年7月收治的36例肝门胆管癌患者的临床资料。结果肝门胆管癌并非少见疾病,而首诊时误诊率较高(39%)。36例均接受手术治疗,根治性切除术16例(44%),中位生存时间为30个月;1、3、5年生存率分别为93%(14/15),50%(5/10)和25%(1/4);各种非根治性切除术20例(56%),中位生存时间为16个月;1、3、5年生存率分别为47%(8/17),8%(1/12),0,(t=2.585)。结论早期诊断及根治性切除术能够提高肝门部胆管癌患者的术后生存率。