Ann Surg Treat Res.  2022 Feb;102(2):100-109. 10.4174/astr.2022.102.2.100.

Comparison of oncologic outcomes of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma according to tumor location: perihilar cholangiocarcinoma versus distal bile duct cancer

• Lee JM
• Kim H
• Sohn HJ
• Choi YJ
• Kang JS
• Han Y
• Kwon W
• Jang JY

• KMID: 2525447
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4174/astr.2022.102.2.100

Abstract

Purpose
Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is distinguished into perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) and distal bile duct cancer (DBC). The studies for each subtype have been conducted separately. This study compared oncological outcomes between PHC and DBC.
Methods
From 2001 to 2017, patients who underwent surgery at Seoul National University Hospital for PHC or DBC were enrolled. T stage was reclassified for tumor extent as ‘confined to’ or ‘beyond’ the bile duct (BD). In survival analysis, stage matching was performed based on tumor extent and lymph node (LN) metastasis.
Results
There were 680 patients enrolled: 295 with PHC and 385 with DBC. The R0 resection rate was higher in DBC (77.3% vs. 89.9%, P = 0.001). Tumors confined to BD were more common in PHC (61.7% vs. 37.7%, P = 0.001). The 5-year survival rate (5YSR) was higher in DBC patients (30.8% vs. 47.8%, P = 0.001). After stage matching, DBC patients showed better 5YSR for tumors confined to BD/LN(–) (47.1% vs. 64.3%), confined to BD/LN(+) (22.0% vs. 35.0%), beyond BD/LN(–) (21.9% vs. 49.8%), and beyond BD/LN(+) (9.6% vs. 26.9%). The overall recurrence rate was higher in PHC (59.7% vs. 51.9%, P = 0.045), with no difference in the recurrence types between two groups. Radiation therapy was effective for patients with advanced stage disease (5YSR: 35.8% vs. 29.5%, P = 0.022); adjuvant chemotherapy was effective for patients receiving R1 resection (5YSR: 37.3% vs. 13.2%, P = 0.040).
Conclusion
Differences were identified in oncological outcomes between PHC and DBC, including pathologic findings and survival outcomes.

Keyword

Bile duct neoplasms; Cholangiocarcinoma; Klatskin tumor; Pathology; Survival analysis

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Flow chart of patient selection.

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  Fig. 2 Overall survival of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma according to tumor location. The overall survival of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) was worse than distal bile duct cancer (DBC). 5YSR, 5-year survival rate.

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  Fig. 3 Overall survival between perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) and distal bile duct cancer (DBC) after stage matching. (A) The overall survival of PHC was worse in patients with tumors confined to bile duct (BD) and without lymph node (LN) metastasis. (B) The overall survival of PHC was comparable with DBC in patients with tumors confined to BD and LN metastasis. (C) The overall survival of PHC was worse in patients with tumors beyond BD and without LN metastasis. (D) The overall survival of PHC was worse in patients with tumors beyond BD and LN metastasis. CTx, chemotherapy; RTx, radiation therapy; 5YSR, 5-year survival rate.

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