[Diagnostics and treatment of cholangiocarcinoma]

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2008 May 3;152(18):1037-41.
[Article in Dutch]

Abstract

--Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare malignancy originating from the biliary epithelium. The disease can arise anywhere in the biliary tract: intrahepatic, perihilar or distal. The overall prognosis for cholangiocarcinoma is poor. --The treatment necessitates a multidisciplinary approach. --Radical resection of the extrahepatic bile ducts, usually in combination with concomitant partial liver resection, remains the only curative treatment. --Liver transplantation in combination with neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy seems to be promising in a highly selected group of patients. --Palliative treatment should be targeted at adequate biliary drainage, preferably by stenting. --Radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy are not standard treatment and should be applied in an experimental setting only. --New options such as photodynamic therapy and tyrosine kinase inhibitors are promising, but still experimental treatments.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / surgery
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / therapy
  • Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic*
  • Biliary Tract Surgical Procedures / methods*
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / diagnosis*
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / surgery
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / therapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Humans
  • Liver Transplantation*
  • Palliative Care
  • Prognosis
  • Treatment Outcome