Prognostic factors of radical resection on patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and impact of abdominal lymph node dissection on prognosis

Abstract

Objective To study factors affecting prognosis of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), focusing on the correlation between extent of lymph node dissection and prognosis of patients with ICC. Methods The clinical data of ICC patients who underwent radical resection at the Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University from October 2013 to October 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the extent of lymph node dissection, the patients were divided into the non-dissected lymph node group, the routine dissection lymph node group and the extended lymph node dissection group. The prognoses of the three groups were compared. The Cox stepwise regression model was used to analyze the independent risk factors for prognosis of patients with ICC. Results The 178 patients included 109 males and 69 females. Their ages ranged from 30 to 81 years (average 59 years). There were 80 patients in the non-dissected group, 34 patients in the routine lymph node dissection group, and 64 patients in the extended lymph node dissection group. The overall survival rates of the 178 patients at 3 years after liver resection was 29.2%(52/178), overall median survival 25.8 months. The 3-year survival rates of the non-dissected group, routine dissection group, and extended dissection group were 10.0%(8/80), 52.9%(18/34), 40.6%(26/64), respectively. The differences among the three groups were significant (P 0.05). There was a significant difference in survival rates between the non-dissected group and the extended lymph node dissection group (P<0.05). Univariate analysis showed that CA19-9, tumor diameter, portal tumor thrombus, and lymph node dissection were related to prognosis of patients with ICC (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed CA19-9, tumor diameter, and extent of lymph nodes clearance were related to patient survival (P<0.05). Conclusions CA19-9, tumor diameter, and extent of lymph node dissection were independent risk factors of survival in patients with ICC. For patients with ICC who undergo surgical resection, conventional laparoscopic lymph node dissection can achieve good results, and there is no need to extend lymph node dissection. Key words: Cholangiocarcinoma; Lymph node excision; Prognosis analysis