Treatment Of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Research Articles

Laparoscopic liver resection as a treatment option for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) remains controversial in the treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). The aim of the present study is to investigate the outcomes of LLR for ICC compared to open liver resection (OLR). We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent surgery for ICC between January 2013 and February 2020. OLR and LLR were compared after propensity score matching (PSM). Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were compared between the matched groups. During the study period, 219 patients met the inclusion criteria (OLR = 170 patients, 77.6%; LLR = 49 patients, 22.4%). Two groups of 43 patients each were analyzed after PSM. The 5-year RFS and OS were 44.6% and 47.9% in the OLR group and 50.9% and 39.8% in the LLR group, respectively. Hospital stay and intensive care unit care were significantly shorter and lower in the LLR group than in the OLR group, respectively. Total postoperative complications and complication rates for those Clavien-Dindo grade 3 or higher were similar between the OLR group and the LLR group. Multiple tumors and lymph node metastases were predisposing factors for tumor recurrence and death in multivariate analysis. The present study suggests that LLR should be considered in selective ICC because of short hospitalization and similar oncologic outcome and overall survival.

Discovery of lirafugratinib (RLY-4008), a highly selective irreversible small-molecule inhibitor of FGFR2

Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) kinase inhibitors have been shown to be effective in the treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and other advanced solid tumors harboring FGFR2 alterations, but the toxicity of these drugs frequently leads to dose reduction or interruption of treatment such that maximum efficacy cannot be achieved. The most common adverse effects are hyperphosphatemia caused by FGFR1 inhibition and diarrhea due to FGFR4 inhibition, as current therapies are not selective among the FGFRs. Designing selective inhibitors has proved difficult with conventional approaches because the orthosteric sites of FGFR family members are observed to be highly similar in X-ray structures. In this study, aided by analysis of protein dynamics, we designed a selective, covalent FGFR2 inhibitor. In a key initial step, analysis of long-timescale molecular dynamics simulations of the FGFR1 and FGFR2 kinase domains allowed us to identify differential motion in their P-loops, which are located adjacent to the orthosteric site. Using this insight, we were able to design orthosteric binders that selectively and covalently engage the P-loop of FGFR2. Our drug discovery efforts culminated in the development of lirafugratinib (RLY-4008), a covalent inhibitor of FGFR2 that shows substantial selectivity over FGFR1 (~250-fold) and FGFR4 (~5,000-fold) in vitro, causes tumor regression in multiple FGFR2-altered human xenograft models, and was recently demonstrated to be efficacious in the clinic at doses that do not induce clinically significant hyperphosphatemia or diarrhea.

Treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: evidence for the role of percutaneous ablation

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a rare cancer with generally poor prognosis. In this narrative review, we examine the role of thermal ablation and summarize the current literature. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) are both safe and well-tolerated as a minimally invasive local curative treatment option for patients suffering from primary and secondary liver tumors. Both methods can be used in patients with medical morbidities that would preclude surgery, as well as individuals with anatomical or functional constraints that impede liver resection. In unresectable iCCA, the median OS after conventional percutaneous US- or CT-guided RFA and MWA is between 20 and 39 months and 10 and 28 months, respectively. In recurrent iCCA, percutaneous RFA and MWA achieved a median OS of 21-27 months and 21-31 months, respectively. These data are comparable to long-term outcomes after surgical resection (SR), with the number of nodules and tumor size affecting prognosis. Stereotactic radiofrequency ablation (SRFA) allows for effective treatment of large and multiple iCCA nodules within one session and achieves short- and long-term results in inoperable patients compared with resection. With the addition of SRFA as an alternative treatment option, the proportion of patients who can be treated with curative treatment has significantly increased. In the absence of prospective trials comparing thermal ablation and surgical resection, we recommend a patient-specific decision-making process. Future research to identify technical and clinical prognostic criteria, as well as molecular markers of tumor biology, may help select patients for ablation and subsequent outcomes.

Insights on liver transplantation and multimodal treatment for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

The treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) has traditionally been limited to surgical resection or systemic therapy. The role of liver transplantation in the management of iCCA is a topic currently being explored. This paper serves as a review to highlight past, present, and future work being done in regard to liver transplantation for iCCA. Strict protocols with specific selection criteria have shown promising results. Neoadjuvant therapy, locoregional therapy, and immunotherapy are some of the tools that may aid in bridging selected patients with iCCA to liver transplantation. There are currently three ongoing trials designed to further evaluate the efficacy of liver transplantation for iCCA. As criteria continue to be refined and evidence accumulates, liver transplantation may become a suitable option as a curative treatment strategy for highly selected patients with unresectable intraoperative cholangiocarcinoma.

Multidisciplinary management in the treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Multidisciplinary management in the treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Feasibility of machine learning-based modeling and prediction using multiple centers data to assess intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma outcomes

Background and aims Currently, there are still no definitive consensus in the treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). This study aimed to build a clinical decision support tool based on machine learning using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database and the data from the Fifth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital in China. Methods 4,398 eligible patients from the SEER database and 504 eligible patients from the hospital data, who presented with histologically proven iCCA, were enrolled for modeling by cross-validation based on machine learning. All the models were trained using the open-source Python library scikit-survival version 0.16.0. Shapley additive explanations method was used to help clinicians better understand the obtained results. Permutation importance was calculated using library ELI5. Results All involved treatment modalities could contribute to a better prognosis. Three models were derived and tested using different data sources, with concordance indices of 0.67, 0.69, and 0.73, respectively. The prediction results were consistent with those under actual situations involving randomly selected patients. Model 2, trained using the hospital data, was selected to develop an online tool, due to its advantage in predicting short-term prognosis. Conclusion The prediction model and tool established in this study can be applied to predict the prognosis of iCCA after treatment by inputting the patient’s clinical parameters or TNM stages and treatment options, thus contributing to optimal clinical decisions. KEY MESSAGES A prognostic model related to disease staging and treatment mode was conducted using the method of machine learning, based on the big data of multi centers. The online calculator can predict the short-term survival prognosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, thus, help to make the best clinical decision. The online calculator built to calculate the mortality risk and overall survival can be easily obtained and applied.

Laparoscopic versus open liver resection for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a multicenter propensity score-matched study

Background The role of laparoscopy in the treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remains unclear. This multicenter study examined the outcomes of laparoscopic liver resection for ICC. Methods Patients with ICC who had undergone laparoscopic or open liver resection between 2012 and 2019 at four European expert centers were included in the study. Laparoscopic and open approaches were compared in terms of surgical and oncological outcomes. Propensity score matching was used for minimizing treatment selection bias and adjusting for confounders (age, ASA grade, tumor size, location, number of tumors and underlying liver disease). Results Of 136 patients, 50 (36.7%) underwent laparoscopic resection, whereas 86 (63.3%) had open surgery. Median tumor size was larger (73.6 vs 55.1 mm, p = 0.01) and the incidence of bi-lobar tumors was higher (36.6 vs 6%, p < 0.01) in patients undergoing open surgery. After propensity score matching baseline characteristics were comparable although open surgery was associated with a larger fraction of major liver resections (74 vs 38%, p < 0.01), lymphadenectomy (60 vs 20%, p < 0.01) and longer operative time (294 vs 209 min, p < 0.01). Tumor characteristics were similar. Laparoscopic resection resulted in less complications (30 vs 52%, p = 0.025), fewer reoperations (4 vs 16%, p = 0.046) and shorter hospital stay (5 vs 8 days, p < 0.01). No differences were found in terms of recurrence, recurrence-free and overall survival. Conclusion Laparoscopic resection seems to be associated with improved short-term and with similar long-term outcomes compared with open surgery in patients with ICC. However, possible selection criteria for laparoscopic surgery are yet to be defined.

Advances in the treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: An overview of the current andfuturetherapeutic landscape for clinicians.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is the second most common primary liver tumor and remains a fatal malignancy in the majority of patients. Approximately 20%-30% of patients are eligible for resection, which is considered the only potentially curative treatment; and, after resection, a median survival of 53 months has been reported when sequenced with adjuvant capecitabine. For the 70%-80% of patients who present with locally unresectable or distant metastatic disease, systemic therapy may delay progression, but survival remains limited to approximately 1 year. For the past decade, doublet chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin has been considered the most effective first-line regimen, but results from the recent use of triplet regimens and even immunotherapy may shift the paradigm. More effective treatment strategies, including those that combine systemic therapy with locoregional therapies like radioembolization or hepatic artery infusion, have also been developed. Molecular therapies, including those that target fibroblast growth factor receptor and isocitrate dehydrogenase, have recently received US Food and Drug Administration approval for a defined role as second-line treatment for up to 40% of patients harboring these actionable genomic alterations, and whether they should be considered in the first-line setting is under investigation. Furthermore, as the oncology field seeks to expand indications for immunotherapy, recent data demonstrated that combining durvalumab with standard cytotoxic therapy improved survival in patients with ICC. This review focuses on the current and future strategies for ICC treatment, including a summary of the primary literature for each treatment modality and an algorithm that can be used to drive a personalized and multidisciplinary approach for patients with this challenging malignancy.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: Tumour heterogeneity and its clinical relevance.

Treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is currently at a significant turning point due to the identification of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations and fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) fusions that can be targeted with currently available therapies. Clinical trials of these targeted therapies have been promising, and the iCCA patients who may benefit from these targeted treatments can be identified by pathological examination prior to molecular investigations. This is because IDH mutations and FGFR fusions are mainly seen in the small duct type iCCA, a subtype of iCCA defined by the 5th World Health Organization classification, which can be recognized by the pathological diagnostic process. Therefore, pathology plays an important role in precision medicine for iCCA, not only in confirming the diagnosis, but also in identifying the iCCA patients who may benefit from targeted treatments. However, caution is advised with the pathological diagnosis, as iCCA shows tumour heterogeneity, making it difficult to distinguish small duct type iCCA from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and combined HCC-CCA. This review focuses on the pathological/molecular features of both subtypes of iCCA (large and small duct types), as well as their diagnostic pitfalls, clinical relevance, and future perspectives.

Treatment of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma-A Multidisciplinary Approach.

Simple SummaryThis review discusses multimodality treatment strategies for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCC). Surgical resection remains the only potentially curative therapeutic option and the central cornerstone of treatment. Adjuvant systemic treatment will be recommended after resection or in the palliative setting. Increasing knowledge of phenotypic subclassification and molecular profiling allows investigation of targeted therapies as (neo-)adjuvant treatment. High-dose brachytherapy, internal radiation therapy, and transarterial chemoembolization are among the interventional treatment options being evaluated for unresectable iCC. Given the multiple options of multidisciplinary management, any treatment strategy should be discussed in a multidisciplinary tumor board and treatment should be directed by a specialized treatment center.Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCC) is distinguished as an entity from perihilar and distal cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder carcinoma. Recently, molecular profiling and histopathological features have allowed further classification. Due to the frequent delay in diagnosis, the prognosis for iCC remains poor despite major technical advances and multimodal therapeutic approaches. Liver resection represents the therapeutic backbone and only curative treatment option, with the functional residual capacity of the liver and oncologic radicality being deciding factors for postoperative and long-term oncological outcome. Furthermore, in selected cases and depending on national guidelines, liver transplantation may be a therapeutic option. Given the often advanced tumor stage at diagnosis or the potential for postoperative recurrence, locoregional therapies have become increasingly important. These strategies range from radiofrequency ablation to transarterial chemoembolization to selective internal radiation therapy and can be used in combination with liver resection. In addition, adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapies as well as targeted therapies and immunotherapies based on molecular profiles can be applied. This review discusses multimodal treatment strategies for iCC and their differential use.

YAP1 activation and Hippo pathway signaling in the pathogenesis and treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), the second most common primary liver cancer, is a highly lethal epithelial cell malignancy exhibiting features of cholangiocyte differentiation. iCCAs can potentially develop from multiple cell types of origin within liver, including immature or mature cholangiocytes, hepatic stem cells/progenitor cells, and from transdifferentiation of hepatocytes. Understanding the molecular mechanisms and genetic drivers that diversely drive specific cell lineage pathways leading to iCCA has important biological and clinical implications. In this context, activation of the YAP1-TEAD dependent transcription, driven by Hippo-dependent or -independent diverse mechanisms that lead to the stabilization of YAP1 is crucially important to biliary fate commitment in hepatobiliary cancer. In preclinical models, YAP1 activation in hepatocytes or cholangiocytes is sufficient to drive their malignant transformation into iCCA. Moreover, nuclear YAP1/TAZ is highly prevalent in human iCCA irrespective of the varied etiology, and significantly correlates with poor prognosis in iCCA patients. Based on the ubiquitous expression and diverse physiologic roles for YAP1/TAZ in the liver, recent studies have further revealed distinct functions of active YAP1/TAZ in regulating tumor metabolism, as well as the tumor immune microenvironment. In the current review, we discuss our current understanding of the various roles of the Hippo-YAP1 signaling in iCCA pathogenesis, with a specific focus on the roles played by the Hippo-YAP1 pathway in modulating biliary commitment and oncogenicity, iCCA metabolism, and immune microenvironment. We also discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting the YAP1/TAZ-TEAD transcriptional machinery in iCCA, its current limitations, and what future studies are needed to facilitate clinical translation.

Liver Transplantation for Unresectable Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: The Role of Sequencing Genetic Profiling.

Simple SummaryIntrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a rare disease with increasing incidence and mortality still characterized by an insufficient clinical outcome. Growing attention has recently surrounded this disease, and liver transplantation has emerged as a novel curative treatment for cholangiocarcinoma, along with a better understanding of genetic alterations potentially capable of driving tumorigenesis. The aim of this paper is to present a clinical description of our case series of patients affected by intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and by mixed forms of hepatocellular and cholangiocellular carcinoma, together with a genomic profiling of mutations occurring in a panel of genes relevant to solid tumor cancer investigations. Mutations were observed in genes activating signaling pathways known to be involved in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma tumorigenesis; a strong association was observed between mutation in genes involving the Notch signaling pathway and tumor size (point-biserial rhopb = 0.93). Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a rare and aggressive primary liver tumor, characterized by a range of different clinical manifestations and by increasing incidence and mortality rates even after curative treatment with radical resection. In recent years, growing attention has been devoted to this disease and some evidence supports liver transplantation (LT) as an appropriate treatment for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma; evolving work has also provided a framework for better understanding the genetic basis of this cancer. The aim of this study was to provide a clinical description of our series of patients complemented with Next-Generation Sequencing genomic profiling. From 1999 to 2021, 12 patients who underwent LT with either iCCA or a combined hepatocellular and cholangiocellular carcinoma (HCC-iCCA) were included in this study. Mutations were observed in gene activating signaling pathways known to be involved with iCCA tumorigenesis (KRAS/MAPK, P53, PI3K-Akt/mTOR, cAMP, WNT, epigenetic regulation and chromatin remodeling). Among several others, a strong association was observed between the Notch pathway and tumor size (point-biserial rhopb = 0.93). Our results are suggestive of the benefit potentially derived from molecular analysis to improve our diagnostic capabilities and to devise new treatment protocols, and eventually ameliorate long-term survival of patients affected by iCCA or HCC-iCCA.

Individualised dosimetry and safety of SIRT for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) with 90Y resin microspheres for the treatment of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). A total of 23 SIRT procedures from 18 ICC subjects were analysed to determine a lesion-based dose/response relationship with absorbed dose measures from 90Y PET and metabolic response as measured on [18F]FDG PET. Average absorbed dose (Davg), minimum dose to 70% of the volume (D70), volume receiving at least 50 Gy (V50), biological effective dose (BED) and equivalent uniform dose (EUD), were compared to changes in metabolic volume, maximum standardised uptake value (SUVmax) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG). Dose to normal liver was assessed with changes in liver uptake rate as measured with [99mTc]mebrofenin scintigraphy for a cohort of 20 subjects with primary liver malignancy (12 ICC, 8 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)).ResultsThirty-four lesions were included in the analysis. A relationship was found between metabolic response and both Davg and EUD similar to that seen previously in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), albeit trending towards a lower response plateau. Both dose and SUV coefficient of variation within the lesion (CoVdose and CoVSUV), baseline TLG and EUD were found to be mildly significant predictors of response. No strong correlation was seen between normal liver dose and change in [99mTc]mebrofenin liver uptake rate; low baseline uptake rate was not indicative of declining function following SIRT, and no subjects dropped into the ‘poor liver function’ category.ConclusionsICC lesions follow a similar dose–response trend as mCRC, however, despite high lesion doses a full metabolic response was rarely seen. The CoV of lesion dose may have a significant bearing on response, and EUD correlated more tightly with metabolic response compared to Davg. SIRT in primary liver malignancy appears safe in terms of not inducing a clinically significant decline in liver function, and poor baseline uptake rate is not predictive of a reduction in function post SIRT.

A Mouse Model of Cholangiocarcinoma Uncovers a Role for Tensin-4 in Tumor Progression.

Earlier diagnosis and treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) are necessary to improve therapy, yet limited information is available about initiation and evolution of iCCA precursor lesions. Therefore, there is a need to identify mechanisms driving formation of precancerous lesions and their progression toward invasive tumors using experimental models that faithfully recapitulate human tumorigenesis. To this end, we generated a mouse model which combines cholangiocyte-specific expression of KrasG12D with 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC) diet-induced inflammation to mimic iCCA development in patients with cholangitis. Histological and transcriptomic analyses of the mouse precursor lesions and iCCA were performed and compared with human analyses. The function of genes overexpressed during tumorigenesis was investigated in human cell lines. We found that mice expressing KrasG12D in cholangiocytes and fed a DDC diet developed cholangitis, ductular proliferations, intraductal papillary neoplasms of bile ducts (IPNBs), and, eventually, iCCAs. The histology of mouse and human IPNBs was similar, and mouse iCCAs displayed histological characteristics of human mucin-producing, large-duct-type iCCA. Signaling pathways activated in human iCCA were also activated in mice. The identification of transition zones between IPNB and iCCA on tissue sections, combined with RNA-sequencing analyses of the lesions supported that iCCAs derive from IPNBs. We further provide evidence that tensin-4 (TNS4), which is stimulated by KRASG12D and SRY-related HMG box transcription factor 17, promotes tumor progression. We developed a mouse model that faithfully recapitulates human iCCA tumorigenesis and identified a gene cascade which involves TNS4 and promotes tumor progression.

Preoperative prognostic nutritional index predicts postoperative infectious complications and oncological outcomes after hepatectomy in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

BackgroundIn the surgical treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), postoperative complications may be predictive of long-term survival. This study aimed to identify an immune-nutritional index (INI) that can be used for preoperative prediction of complications.Patients and methodsMulti-institutional data from 316 patients with ICC who had undergone surgical resection were retrospectively analysed, with a focus on various preoperative INIs.ResultsSevere complications (Clavien-Dindo grade III–V) were identified in 66 patients (20.8%), including Grade V complications in 7 patients (2.2%). Comparison of areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs) among various INIs identified the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) as offering the highest predictive value for severe complications (AUC = 0.609, cut-off = 50, P = 0.008). Multivariate analysis revealed PNI < 50 (odds ratio [OR] = 2.22, P = 0.013), hilar lesion (OR = 2.46, P = 0.026), and long operation time (OR = 1.003, P = 0.029) as independent risk factors for severe complications. In comparing a high-PNI group (PNI ≥ 50, n = 142) and a low-PNI group (PNI < 50, n = 174), the low-PNI group showed higher rates of both major complications (27% vs. 13.4%; P = 0.003) and infectious complications (14.9% vs. 3.5%; P = 0.0021). Furthermore, median survival time and 1- and 5-year overall survival rates were 34.2 months and 77.4 and 33.8% in the low-PNI group, respectively, and 52.4 months and 89.3 and 47.5% in the high-PNI group, respectively (P = 0.0017).ConclusionPreoperative PNI appears useful as an INI correlating with postoperative severe complications and as a prognostic indicator for ICC.

Long-term results of surgical treatment for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma according to the tumor mutation status

Long-term results of surgical treatment for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma according to the tumor mutation status

Frequency and effects of mutations in the KRAS gene on the survival of patients after surgical treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Aim. To study the effect of mutations in the KRAS gene on the clinical course of intrahepatic cholangiocellular cancer (ICC) after surgical treatment in the Russian population.Materials and methods. A molecular genetic study of tumour tissue samples from 33 patients with intrahepatic cholangiocellular cancer obtained after surgical treatment was carried out using real-time polymerase chain reaction.Results. In the Russian population, the frequency of mutations in the KRAS gene in ICC was 27%, mainly in 12 (78%), 13 (33%), 61 (55%), 117 (44%) and 146 (44%) codons of 2, 3, 4 exons. In terms of KRAS gene mutations, intrahepatic cholangiocellular cancer is characterised by a pronounced heterogeneity. As a rule, the KRAS gene demonstrates multiple mutations at several loci and co-mutations in other genes, in particular, in IDH1/IDH2, PIK3CA, NRAS and BRAF genes. KRAS gene mutations in ICC were found to be significantly more common in women. The overall survival rate was significantly higher in patients with a KRAS mutation as compared to those with the wild type of the gene. Regarding the relapse-free survival rate in the groups of patients with the mutant and wild type of the KRAS gene, no significant differences were found.Conclusion. In the Russian population, no negative association between mutations in the KRAS gene and clinical outcomes was observed.

Progress of diagnosis and treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a rare primary liver cancers. The pathogenesis is obscure and usually, it is asymptomatic in early stage, the diagnosis is made with difficulty. Most patients are in advanced stage upon diagnosis and have unresectable tumors.Strategies and indications for surgery are variable by different doctors. Standard, effective and individualized treatment strategies are lacking, with high malignancy, the tumor often shows unfavorable prognosis. In this review, we elucidate the cancer staging system, diagnostic algorithm, choice of surgical approaches and progress of nonsurgical treatment in conjunction with domestic and foreign literatures, so as to enhance the awareness of ICC and avoid misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis, eccessive or inadequate treatment in clinical work and confer benefit to patients. Key words: Bile duct neoplasms; Diagnosis; Therapeutic uses; Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Clinical exploration of laparoscopic liver resection for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma of 58 cases

Objective To explore the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic liver resection in the treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Methods The retrospective study was adopted. The clinical data of 58 patients with ICC who underwent laparoscopic liver resection in the Department of Hepatobiliary Minimally Invasive Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Hu′nan Normal University were collected From January 2016 to December 2018. Among them, 34 patients were males and 24 were females, aged from 34 to 71 years with a median age of 54 years. Observation indicators: (1) Surgical treatment: surgical methods, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative blood transfusion rate, intraoperative hepatic portal blocking time, conversion rate, postoperative complications, postoperative hospital stay. (2) Postoperative pathological conditions. (3) Follow-up.Follow-up visits were conducted using an outpatient clinic and telephone to understand patient survival after surgery. The follow-up period was until June 2019. Measurement data with normal distribution were expressed as (Mean±SD), count data was expressed as frequency and percentage. Results A total of 58 patients were included in this study, of which 48 patients underwent laparoscopic radical surgical resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and 10 patients underwent laparoscopic conversion to laparotomy. (1) Surgical treatment: laparoscopic resection of the left liver (segments Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ), laparoscopic resection of the right liver (segments Ⅴ, Ⅵ, Ⅶ and Ⅷ), laparoscopic resection of the right posterior lobe (segments Ⅵ and Ⅶ), laparoscopic extended resection of the right posterior lobe, laparoscopic resection of the middle lobe (Ⅳ, Ⅴ and Ⅷ), laparoscopic resection of the V and Ⅵ, laparoscopic resection of the left liver (segments Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ) combined with the caudate lobe (segments I and Ⅸ), laparoscopic extended left hemihepatectomy, laparoscopic resection of the VI, laparoscopic resection of the Ⅶ and Ⅷ, laparoscopic resection of the left lateral lobe (segments Ⅱ and Ⅲ) and laparoscopic resection of the right hepatic mass; operation time: (320.38±107.68) min; intraoperative blood loss: (262.34±76.06); intraoperative blood loss: 0 (0/58); Intraoperative hepatic portal occlusion time: (48±15) min, the conversion rate was 17.2% (10/58); the incidence of postoperative biliary fistula was 6.8% (4/58), and the patient was discharged after conservative treatment and unobstructed drainage (T-tube vacuum suction); the postoperative gastrointestinal recovery time was (1.84±0.57) d; no other serious complications occurred.Postoperative hospital stay: (9.34±3.39) d; there were no deaths and unplanned surgeries during the perioperative period. (2) Pathological conditions: 32 cases received lymph node dissection during the operation, and 26 cases showed cholangiocarcinoma without lymph node dissection; pathological examination showed that the pathological reports of all tumor margins were negative, and 4 cases showed lymph node dissection and positive lymph node metastasis. (3) Follow-up results: of the 58 patients with ICC, 49 were followed up for 6 to 36 months. The tumor survival time was (4 to 36) months. 28 patients survived without tumor. 17 patients had intrahepatic metastasis with multiple lymph node metastasis. 4 patients were treated with microwave ablation after intrahepatic metastasis was found. 9 patients were lost to follow-up. Conclusion Laparoscopic treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is safe and feasible in experienced centers. Key words: Laparoscopic; Liver resection; Cholangiocarcinoma

Progress of diagnosis and treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

The incidence of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is increasing year by year, and the cause of its onset is still not clear. Enhanced CT or enhanced magnetic resonance imaging is a commonly used diagnostic method, and postoperative pathology inspection is the most important criterion for diagnosis. The overall therapeutic effect of ICC is not satisfactory. Surgical resection is the only curative treatment. However, the low resection rate and high recurrence rate are difficult treatments for the disease. This article reviews the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of ICC. Key words: Bile duct neoplasms; Diagnosis; Therapeutic uses; Introhepatic cholangiocarcinoma