Surgical treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a retrospective study of 104 cases

Abstract

Objective To study the clinicopathological features, surgical techniques and prognosis of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Methods The data of 104 patients with ICC treated from Jan. 2008 to Dec. 2013 at the Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The overall survival (OS) rate and the independent risk factors related to survival were analyzed. Results The 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates of these patients were 72.1%, 56.1% and 43.7%, respectively, and the median survival was 34 months. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates in the hepatic hilum lymphadenectomy group were 42.9%, 28.6% and 28.6%, which were significantly lower than the non-lymphadenectomy group (78.9%, 62.5% and 47.8%). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates in the extended hepatic hilum lymphadenectomy group (75.0%, 66.7% and 33.3%) was not significantly different from the other two groups. Univariate analysis showed that age, gender, AJCC stage, differentiation, ferritin (Fer), CA19-9, CEA, lymph node metastasis and lymph node dissection were prognostic factors of long-term survival for patients with ICC (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that age, AJCC stage, differentiation, Fer, and lymph node metastasis were independent risk factors of survival (P<0.05). Conclusions Patients with ICC would not benefit from lymphadenectomy if no lymph node involvement was present. Systematic lymphadenectomy improved the outcomes of patients with lymph node metastasis. Age, AJCC stage, differentiation, Fer and lymph node metastasis were independent risk factors of survival. Key words: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma; Surgical treatment; Lymph node dissection; Prognosis