Surgical Outcome and Prognostic Factors in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: The clinicopathologic features and surgical outcome of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma are not fully understood. METHODS: Fifty-six consecutive patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma who underwent surgical resection at the National Cancer Center Hospital East between October 1992 and July 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas were subdivided into solitary tumors and tumors with intrahepatic metastasis. RESULTS: Complete tumor removal (R0 resection) was performed in 42 patients (75%). The 5-year survival rate for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (n = 56), patients with a solitary tumor (n = 46), and patients with intrahepatic metastasis (n = 10) were 32, 38, and 0%, respectively. There was a significant difference in survival between patients with a solitary tumor and those with intrahepatic metastasis (p < 0.0001). The 5-year survival rate for patients with stage I (n = 3), II (n = 9), III (n = 15), and IV disease (n = 26) was 100, 67, 37, and 0%, respectively. There was a significant difference in survival between stage I and stage IV (p = 0.011), between stage II and stage IV (p = 0.0002), and between stage III and stage IV (p = 0.0015). The most frequent site of recurrence was the liver. Univariate analysis showed that intrahepatic metastasis, portal vein invasion, hepatic duct invasion, lymph node metastasis, perineural invasion, and positive surgical margin (R1) were significantly associated with poor survival. Multivariate analysis confirmed that intrahepatic metastasis was a significant and independent prognostic indicator after surgical resection for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (p = 0.001). No patient with intrahepatic metastasis survived more than 10 months in this study. CONCLUSIONS: Intrahepatic metastasis was the strongest predictor of poor survival in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.     

Value of lymph node dissection during resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatectomy with extensive lymph node dissection is the standard operation for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC). However, lymph node dissection may not always be effective at reducing tumour recurrence. METHODS: Forty-nine patients with IHCC who underwent hepatectomy were investigated to determine patterns of tumour recurrence and to estimate the value of lymph node dissection during resection. RESULTS: At hepatectomy most metastatic lymph nodes were identified at least to the level of group 2 lymph nodes. Among 23 patients who developed recurrence, 17 had liver metastases and the other six had recurrence at other sites, mainly in the peritoneum. Poorly differentiated histology was related to the development of liver metastases. No patient with the intraductal growth type of IHCC had tumour recurrence. Lymph node dissection did not appear to improve patient survival. Histological findings of lymph node metastases and intrahepatic metastases were independent indicators of poor prognosis. CONCLUSION: Lymph node metastases were seldom limited to the regional lymph nodes; most tumour recurrence occurred in the liver. Lymph node dissection did not appear to improve patient survival. Lymph node dissection alone is not likely to improve the prognosis without further control of liver metastases.     

Prognostic factors in node-negative intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with special reference to angiogenesis

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to clarify prognostic factors and recurrence patterns in patients with node-negative intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC). METHODS: A retrospective study was performed to review prognostic factors and recurrence patterns (1) in 22 patients with node-negative IHCC after curative hepatic resection and (2) in 49 patients who underwent resection and lymph node dissection for IHCC. In addition to determining the clinicopathologic factors, the investigators also performed immunohistochemical examination of microvessel counts using antihuman CD-31 and antibody. RESULTS: The significant poor prognostic factors in node-negative IHCC were the presence of intrahepatic metastasis, portal vein invasion of cancer cells, and high microvessel counts. After multivariate analysis was conducted, the independent poor prognostic factors were the presence of intrahepatic metastases and high microvessel counts. Of 9 patients who had postoperative recurrence of their disease, intrahepatic recurrence was observed in 7 (78 %). CONCLUSIONS: The factors linked to poor prognosis in IHCC were tumor angiogenesis and the presence of intrahepatic metastasis. Because intrahepatic recurrence was common, regional and adjuvant chemotherapy to the liver may improve the outcome of patients with these risk factors and node-negative IHCC.     

Intrahepatic Lymphatic Invasion Independently Predicts Poor Survival and recurrences after Hepatectomy in Patients with Colorectal Carcinoma Liver Metastases

BACKGROUND: D2-40 monoclonal antibody immunoreactivity is specific for lymphatic endothelium and therefore provides a marker of lymphatic invasion. We hypothesized that intrahepatic lymphatic invasion reflects the nodal status of colorectal carcinoma liver metastases and may function as an adverse prognostic factor. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 105 consecutive patients who underwent resection for colorectal carcinoma liver metastases was conducted. Intrahepatic lymphatic invasion was declared when either single tumor cells or cell clusters were clearly visible within vessels that showed immunoreactivity for D2-40 monoclonal antibody. The median follow-up time was 124 months. RESULTS: Of 105 patients, 13 were classified as having intrahepatic lymphatic invasion. All tumor foci of intrahepatic lymphatic invasion were detected within the portal tracts. Intrahepatic lymphatic invasion was significantly associated with hepatic lymph node involvement (P = 0.039). Survival after resection was significantly worse in patients with intrahepatic lymphatic invasion (median survival time of 13 months; cumulative five-year survival rate of 0%) than in patients without (median survival time of 40 months; cumulative five-year survival rate of 41%; P < 0.0001). Patients with intrahepatic lymphatic invasion also showed decreased disease-free survival rates (P < 0.0001). Intrahepatic lymphatic invasion thus independently affected both survival (relative risk, 7.666; 95% confidence interval, 3.732-15.748; P < 0.001) and disease-free survival (relative risk, 4.112; 95% confidence interval, 2.185-7.738; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Intrahepatic lymphatic invasion is associated with hepatic lymph node involvement and is an adverse prognostic factor in patients with colorectal carcinoma liver metastases.     

Effect of Surgery on the Outcome of Midgut Carcinoid Disease with Lymph Node and Liver Metastases

We have evaluated survival and tumor-related symptoms in the presence of mesenteric lymph node and liver metastases in relation to surgical procedures in 314 patients (148 women, mean age at diagnosis 61 years; 249 with liver metastases) treated for midgut carcinoid tumors. Of the operated patients, 46% presented with severe abdominal pain and intestinal obstruction and were operated on before the diagnosis. Medical treatment (somatostatin analogs, interferon-a) was initiated in 67% and 86%, respectively. Surgical attempts included small intestine or ileocecal/right-sided colon resection with excision of mesenteric lymph node metastases. Most of the patients (n = 286) had mesenteric lymph node metastases; 33% of them had unresectable mesenteric lymph node metastases and underwent surgery without mesenteric dissection. Patients who underwent resection for the primary tumor had a longer survival than those with no resection (median survival 7.4 vs. 4.0 years; p <0.01). Patients who underwent successful excision of mesenteric metastases had a significantly longer survival than those with remaining lymph node metastases. Patients operated on for a primary tumor but with remaining lymph nodes but no liver metastases and who subsequently received interferon and somatostatin analog treatment had a median survival of 7.4 years. Resection of the primary tumor and the mesenteric lymph node metastases led to a significant reduction in tumor-related symptoms. Surgery to remove the primary intestinal tumor including mesenteric lymph node metastases is supported by the present results, even in the presence of liver metastases. Liver metastases and significant preoperative weight loss are identified as major negative prognostic factors for survival.     

影响结直肠癌肝转移手术切除患者预后的多因素分析

目的 探讨影响结直肠癌肝转移患者手术切除的预后因素。方法 收集1995-2001年间收治的结直肠癌肝转移手术切除患者103例的资料，用Kaplan-Meier法计算术后生存率，以Cox模型进行多变量分析。结果 患者术后1、3年无瘤生存率分别为73．8％和43．7％，术后1、3年累积生存率分别为7g．6％和49．5％。单因素分析显示：术前血清CEA水平、转移灶与原发灶的治疗间隔时间、术中切缘情况、肝门淋巴结转移、肝内卫星灶的存在与否、肝转移灶的最大直径、数目及有无包膜影响患者的术后肝内复发和术后累积生存率，而术后化疗可以提高患者的累积生存率。多因素分析显示：转移灶与原发灶的治疗间隔时间、切缘情况、肝内卫星灶的存在与否和肝转移灶的最大直径是影响肝内复发和累积生存率的独立因素，而肝门淋巴结转移是影响累积生存率的独立因素，有无包膜是影响肝内复发的独立因素。结论 手术切除是结直肠癌肝转移有效的治疗手段。转移灶与原发灶的治疗间隔时间、切缘情况、肝内卫星灶、肝转移灶的大小和包膜、肝门淋巴结转移等是患者预后的独立影响因素。     

肝内胆管细胞癌的外科治疗及预后因素分析

目的探讨肝内胆管细胞癌（ICC）患者的外科治疗方法和影响手术预后的因素。方法回顾性分析80例经手术治疗的ICC患者的临床病理资料,对其中71例肿瘤切除的患者行术后生存预后的单因素和多因素分析。结果本组80例手术患者术后中位生存时间为21．5月。1、3、5年生存率为68．6％、40-3％、25．4％。根治性手术切除组和姑息性手术切除组的中位生存时间分别为40个月及15个月,两组间比较差异有统计学意义（X^2=13．62,P〈0．001）。本组总的肿瘤切除率为88．8％（71／80）,对可能影响患者肿瘤切除术后生存的15个因素分别进行单因素分析,结果表明肿瘤大小、肿瘤数目、淋巴结转移、术前血清CAl9-9水平、手术切缘及邻近组织器官侵犯对预后有影响（P〈0．05）。COX模型多因素分析结果表明手术切缘和肿瘤数目是两个独立预后因素。结论手术切除是ICC的首选治疗方法,R0切除和单个肿瘤是评估ICC患者肿瘤切除术后取得良好预后的独立指标。     

肝内胆管细胞癌外科手术治疗的现状与进展

肝内胆管细胞癌(ICC)是原发于肝脏的恶性肿瘤,其恶性程度高、远期预后差。根治性手术切除是目前治疗ICC的唯一有效手段。而近年来,随着对ICC生物学行为和临床特点认识的不断深入,其临床分期、手术指征、手术方式、淋巴结清扫等外科治疗策略也在发生着转变。本文结合近年来临床最新研究进展,针对ICC的外科手术治疗的现状进行综述。     

Analysis of the relationships between clinicopathologic factors and survival time in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: This study elucidated the relationships between various clinicopathologic factors and the outcome of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) treated by hepatic resection. METHODS: A total of 37 ICC patients were treated by hepatic resection in our department between March 1979 and March 2001. Eleven clinicopathological variables (age, sex, preoperative jaundice, operative curability, number of tumors, UICC [Union Internationale Contre le Cancer] pT factor, UICC pN factor, UICC pM factor, histological tumor type, 10-year period during which they initially examined, and adjuvant therapy) were selected for univariate and multivariate analysis to evaluate their influence on the outcome. RESULTS: The actuarial 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates in the 37 resected cases were 54.1%, 34.0%, and 23.9%, respectively. The stage of the ICC influenced their overall survival rate. The univariate analysis revealed that curative resection (P = 0.0018), UICC pT factor (P = 0.0445), pN factor (P = 0.0029), pM factor (P = 0.0022), and histological type (P = 0.0030) were significant risk factors for survival. Multivariate analysis revealed that noncurative resection, lymph node metastasis, and less differentiated histological type were significant risk factors for poor outcome. All 6 of the 37 patients who survived more than 5 years had undergone curative resection, all of their tumors were well differentiated, and none had lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Curative surgical resection remains the only effective approach to the treatment of ICC. Extensive resection is not indicated if lymph node metastasis can be identified preoperatively or intraoperatively. Current adjuvant therapy is ineffective, and it will be necessary to assess the efficacy of new adjuvant therapy strategies or the addition of new agents in terms of the outcome of ICC.     

Histologic factors affecting prognosis following hepatectomy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Long-term survival following hepatectomy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma has been poor, and specific factors influencing survival are unclear. In a retrospective study we sought to determine prognostic factors related to survival in these patients. In 28 patients who underwent hepatic resection for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, we investigated the relations of several histologic factors to patient survival by univariate and multivariate analyses. No deaths occurred during the first 30 days. Median and mean survival times following hepatectomy were 409 and 935 days, respectively. The respective survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 57%, 27%, and 27%. Resection margin status, intrahepatic metastasis, lymph node involvement, and lymphatic invasion were significant predictors of outcome. In a multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model, only lymphatic invasion independently predicted survival. Curative resection with clear margins was found to prolong survival after surgery. Hepatectomy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma without lymphatic invasion offers hope for long-term survival.     

Number of Lymph Node Metastases Is a Significant Prognostic Factor in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC) is a rare primary hepatic tumor. Outcomes after resection and the use of lymph node dissection have not been well described. From a prospective database, we identified 53 patients with IHCC who underwent exploration between April 1983 and March 2004. Hepatic resection was performed in 44 patients, 30 of whom underwent lymph node dissection. Clinicopathological features and outcomes were analyzed. The actuarial 1-year survival was 66.2% in resected patients, compared to 0% in unresectable patients (p < 0.0001), with a 50% overall survival of 21.5 months and 3.1 months, respectively. The actuarial 3-year and 5-year overall survival rates in resected patients were 38.3% and 26.3%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that factors associated with poor overall survival included multiple tumors, extrahepatic bile duct involvement, noncurative resection, and involvement of lymph nodes. Multivariate analysis in resected patients revealed that multiple tumors (p < 0.0074) and non-curative resection (p = 0.0068) were significant risk factors for poor overall survival. The survival rate in patients with three or more positive nodes was significantly lower than in those with fewer than three (p < 0.0001). Three patients with solitary tumors and one or two involved lymph nodes have survived beyond 4 years after extended lobectomy with systemic lymphadenectomy. Curative resection, single tumor, and fewer than two lymph node metastases were prognostic factors for good outcome. Curative resection with lymph node dissection improved survival in patients with no more than two positive lymph nodes.     

Serosal invasion in TNM staging of mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Background/Purpose The Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan established a tumor-nodule-metastasis (TNM) staging system for mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, with T determined by tumor number and size and vascular or serosal invasion. Serosal invasion is not considered in the designation established by the International Union Against Cancer. Methods Sixty-three patients who underwent hepatic resection for mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma were investigated retrospectively, with the investigation including univariate and multivariate analyses of potential prognostic factors. Results By log-rank test, tumor size more than 3.0 cm, vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, intrahepatic metastasis, and involved resection margin, but not serosal invasion, were associated significantly with poor prognosis. Even in patients with serosal invasion, the postoperative outcome was much better in those without than in those with vascular invasion. Multivariate analysis identified vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, and an involved resection margin as independent prognostic factors. When serosal invasion was excluded from tumor staging, the 5-year survival rates became more clearly stratified: 100% in those with stage I disease, 62% in those with stage II, 25% in those with stage III, and 7% for patients with stage IV. Conclusions Serosal invasion showed no survival impact after hepatic resection for mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. When serosal invasion was omitted from the TNM staging proposed by the Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan, stratification of postoperative survival between stages was more effective.     

肝胆管结石合并肝内胆管癌15例临床分析

目的探讨肝胆管结石合并肝内胆管癌的诊治经验。方法回顾性分析两院在1996年1月至2005年12月,15例肝胆管结石合并肝内胆管癌的临床资料,并对其诊断、治疗和预后进行总结。结果15例肝内胆管癌的发生率占同期肝内胆管结石患者的4.3%(15/350)。术前诊断率为40%(6/15)。5例行根治性切除(33.3%),术后平均生存27个月。姑息性手术治疗10例,术后平均生存8个月。结论对50岁以上,病史较长,反复胆管炎发作,短期内消瘦,进行性黄疸加重的肝胆管结石病人,应高度警惕并发胆管癌可能。提高疗效的关键是早期诊断,早期治疗,争取根治性切除。     

原发性胆管细胞性肝癌42例的外科治疗

目的　评价原发性胆管细胞性肝癌外科诊治的效果。方法　回顾性分析 1996 年 1 月至2001年12月间经手术治疗的42例原发性胆管细胞性肝癌的临床与病理资料。结果　42 例患者以上腹痛、黄疸、上腹包块为主要临床表现,合并胆石症6例;CA19 9检查25例,16例升高;形成单个包块者20例,腹腔淋巴结转移19例。手术切除16例,其中根治性切除13例,同种异体原位肝移植1例。根治性切除生存超过1年者7例,超过3年者4例,超过5年者2例。姑息性切除及肿瘤未切除者无2年生存者。结论　增强对原发性胆管细胞性肝癌的认识,提高早期诊断水平,采用手术切除及肝移植治疗,可提高治疗效果。     

肝内胆管细胞癌的外科治疗进展

肝内胆管细胞癌(ICC)具有显著的局部播散和淋巴道转移的特性.治愈ICC的惟一选择是根治性手术,应行规则性肝切除或扩大肝切除;是否常规清扫淋巴结以及淋巴结清扫的范围目前研究较多,结论有待进一步证实.姑息性切除仍然可以改善部分病人的预后.再次手术对于术后"超过一年"的部分肝内复发病人也有较好的疗效.肝移植仅适用于高度选择的早期病人或者谨慎的临床试验,并建议联合术后放化疗等以改善预后.     

Extended hepatic resection and outcomes in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Background/Purpose. The aim of this report was to assess the outcome of aggressive surgical treatment for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Methods. From 1984 to 2001, we encountered 64 patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Of the 64 patients, 50 patients who underwent surgical resection with macroscopically curative objectives (78%) were reviewed for surgical procedures and outcomes. Results. Hemi- or more extensive hepatectomy was required for surgical resection in 40 patients (80%). Overall hospital morbidity and mortality rates were 50% and 8%, respectively. Curative resection with pathological free margins was achieved in 34 patients (68%). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year patient survival and tumor-free survival rates were 61.6%, 37.6%, and 22.5%; and 55%, 11%, and 11%, respectively. Among the macroscopic types, all 9 patients with intraductal growth type are alive 11–75 months after surgery. Survival rates among patients who had undergone curative resection were significantly better than those in patients who had undergone noncurative resection, even when patients with the intraductal growth type were excluded. Nodal status did not affect patient survival. Conclusions. Although the overall survival rate after surgical resection remains unsatisfactory, long-term survival is possible through extended surgical resection with pathological free margins. Patients with the intraductal growth type of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma might have the best chance of being cured by surgical treatment.     

腹腔镜肝切除治疗58例肝内胆管细胞癌的临床探讨

目的探讨腹腔镜肝切除治疗肝内胆管细胞癌(ICC)的安全性及可行性。方法采用回顾性研究方法。收集2016年1月—2018年12月湖南师范大学附属第一医院行腹腔镜肝切除治疗的58例ICC患者的临床资料。其中男性34例,女性24例;年龄34~71岁,中位年龄54岁。观察指标:(1)手术治疗情况:手术方式、手术时间、术中出血量、术中输血率、术中肝门阻断时间、中转率、术后并发症、术后住院时间、术后胃肠道恢复时间、围手术期有无死亡病例及非计划手术病例。(2)术后病理情况。(3)随访。采用门诊和电话方式进行随访,了解患者术后生存情况。随访时间截至2019年6月。正态分布的计量资料以均数±标准差(Mean±SD)表示,计数资料用频数和百分比(%)表示。结果本研究共纳入58例患者,其中48例患者在腹腔镜下完成ICC根治性外科切除手术,10例患者行腹腔镜中转开腹。(1)手术治疗情况:手术方式有腹腔镜下左半肝(Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ段)切除,腹腔镜下右半肝(Ⅴ、Ⅵ、Ⅶ、Ⅷ段)切除,腹腔镜下右肝后叶(Ⅵ、Ⅶ段)切除,腹腔镜下扩大右后叶切除,腹腔镜下肝中叶(Ⅳ、Ⅴ、Ⅷ段)切除,腹腔镜下Ⅴ、Ⅵ段切除,腹腔镜下左半肝(Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ段)联合肝尾叶(Ⅰ、Ⅸ段)切除,腹腔镜扩大左半肝切除,腹腔镜下Ⅵ段切除,腹腔镜下Ⅶ、Ⅷ段切除,腹腔镜左肝外叶(Ⅱ、Ⅲ段)切除,腹腔镜右肝肿块切除;手术时间(320.38±107.68)min;术中出血量(262.34±76.06)mL;术中输血率为0(0/58);术中肝门阻断时间(48±15)min;其中10例腹腔镜中转开腹手术,中转率17.2%(10/58);术后胆瘘发生率为6.9%(4/58),保守治疗、通畅引流(T管负压吸引)后痊愈出院;无其他严重并发症发生。术后住院时间(9.34±3.39)d;术后胃肠道恢复时间(1.84±0.57)d;围手术期内无死亡病例及非计划手术病例。(2)病理情况:术中32例行淋巴结清扫,术后26例病理结果提示胆管细胞癌未行淋巴结清扫;病理学检查结果显示,所有肿瘤切缘的病理报告均为阴性,4例淋巴结清扫并提示淋巴结转移阳性。(3)随访结果:58例ICC患者中,49例获得术后随访,随访时间为6~36个月,术后肿瘤生存时间为4~36个月,28例获得无瘤生存,17例患者出现肝内转移并多发淋巴结转移,4例患者发现肝内转移后行微波消融治疗,9例患者失访。结论腹腔镜肝切除经验丰富的中心,应用腹腔镜治疗肝内胆管细胞癌是安全及可行的。     

Pathological Confirmation of Para-Aortic Lymph Node Status as a Potential Criterion for the Selection of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Patients for Radical Resection with Regional Lymph Node Dissection

Background

Para-aortic lymph node (PAN) metastasis traditionally has been defined as distant metastasis. Many studies suggest that lymph node metastasis in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is one of the strongest prognostic factors for patient survival; however, the status of the PAN was not examined separately from regional lymph node metastasis in these reports. Here, we investigated whether regional lymph node metastasis without PAN metastasis in ICC can be classified as resectable disease and whether curative resection can have a prognostic impact.

Methods

Between 1998 and 2010, a total of 47 ICC patients underwent hepatic resection and systematic lymphadenectomy with curative intent. We routinely dissected the PANs and had frozen-section pathological examinations performed intraoperatively. If PAN metastases were identified, curative resection was abandoned. We retrospectively investigated the prognostic factors for patient survival after curative resection for ICC without PAN metastases, with particular attention paid to the prognostic impact of lymphadenectomy.

Results

Univariate analysis identified concomitant portal vein resection, concomitant hepatic artery resection, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative transfusion, and residual tumor as significant negative prognostic factors. However, lymph node status was not identified as a significant prognostic factor. The 14 patients with node-positive cancer had a survival rate of 20 % at 5 years. Based on multivariate analysis, intraoperative transfusion was an independent prognostic factor associated with a poor prognosis (risk ratio = 4.161; P = 0.0056).

Conclusions

Regional lymph node metastasis in ICC should be classified as resectable disease, because the survival rate after surgical intervention was acceptable when PAN metastasis was pathologically negative.     

The role of pelvic lymph node metastases in bladder cancer

Summary Among the 153 patients who had undergone cystectomy for primary bladder cancer, the expected deterioration of survival occurred as tumor stage advanced. Of 10 patients with either solitary, small resected intraabdominal metastases or involvement of the urethral margin, none survived longer than 3 years. Another 12 patients were found to have regional lymph node metastases; in 11 of these the positive nodes were located along the iliac or obturator vessels; these individuals also died within 3 years. The 12th patient, who had microscopic metastases in a lymph node from the perivesical fat, was alive with no evidence of disease at 42 months. Among the remaining 131 patients who had no evidence of lymphatic, intraperitoneal or distant metastases, nor tumor at the urethral margin, survival rates were not significantly different for the various pT categories. Our results suggest that patients with deeply invasive bladder carcinoma, but no evidence of extravesical spread (which becomes less likely the deeper the tumor infiltrates) have the same 5-year survival rate as patients with superficially invasive cancer of comparable grade. They also show that lymph node metastases along the pelvic wall portend an unfavorable outcome. However, those who have limited microscopic lymph node metastases, particularly if located in the perivesical fat, may expect a better prognosis as suggested by our patient and the reports in the literature.     

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: prognostic factors after liver resection

Liver resection may represent the only hope of cure for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHC) but long-term results are still far from satisfactory and the impact of prognostic factors is still controversial. Fifty-five patients underwent hepatectomy for IHC between 1997 and 2008 in our unit. Features of the patients and the tumors, operations, postoperative and long-term results were retrospectively assessed. Twenty-one patients had HBV/HCV infection, four had congenital biliary dilatation. Thirty-two patients had increased CA 19-9; 12 had multiple (≥4) tumors. Operations included 43 major resections, with 9 resections of biliary confluence, 40 regional lymphadenectomies. Operative mortality and morbidity were 0 and 27.3%, respectively. There were 44 R0-resections (80.0%). Lymphadenectomy yielded lymph node metastases in 14 cases (14/40; 35.0%). Five-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 30.2 and 27.5%, respectively. At multivariate analysis the strongest poor prognostic factor for overall survival was tumor stage. This factor, with multiplicity of lesions (≥4) and tumor grading > 2, was significant predictor of recurrence. CA19-9 > 100 IU/mL and tumor grading > 2 were found to be significantly related with early multinodular hepatic recurrence. Patients with lymph node metastases had significantly lower overall and disease-free survival but patients who underwent lymph node dissection with negative lymph nodes at final pathology showed significantly higher 5-year disease-free survival than patients who did not underwent lymphadenectomy. In conclusion, these results support the role of hepatectomy with regional lymphadenectomy as the best available treatment for IHC. Prognosis after liver resection correlates with clinical stage and multiplicity of lesions.