The role of radiation therapy in cancer of the extra-hepatic biliary system: an analysis of thirteen patients and a review of the literature of the effectiveness of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy

Definitive postoperative irradiation of bile duct carcinoma with charged particles and/or photons

PURPOSE

To determine the rates of survival and local control in patients with bile duct adenocarcinomas treated with post-operative photons and/or charged particles.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A retrospective study was performed analyzing all patients with bile duct adenocarcinomas who received radiotherapy through the University of California San Francisco and at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory between 1977 and 1987, a total of 62 patients. University of California San Francisco patients received photon therapy (median dose 5400 cGy), and Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory patients were treated with the charged particles helium and/or neon (median dose 6000 cGyE). Forty-eight patients were treated post-operatively with curative intent, 30 with photons and 18 with particles. Thirty-six patients in the study had gross residual disease; none had microscopically negative margins.

RESULTS

The overall two-year actuarial survival was 28%: 44% for particle-treated patients and 18% for patients treated with photons (p = .048). Median actuarial survival was 23 months in particle patients and 12 months in photon patients. Local control was also improved, though less significantly, in patients treated with particles (median disease-free survival 20 months vs. 4.5 months, p = .054). A univariate and multivariate analysis was performed and revealed that only extent of residual disease predicted local failure and overall survival; no other prognostic factors were identified.

CONCLUSION

Compared to conventional photon radiotherapy, treatment with post-operative charged particle irradiation at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory appeared to offer a survival advantage in this non-randomized series. Additional investigation into protection of surrounding normal tissue with better dose localization through the use of charged particles is planned.

Intraoperative radiotherapy for unresectable cholangiocarcinoma--the Mayo Clinic experience

Thirteen patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinomas were treated with external beam radiation therapy (ERT) and intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) in combination with biliary stenting. Local treatment failure occurred in 50% of the patients treated with curative intent and an additional two patients developed distant recurrent disease. Patient morbidity was primarily related to biliary sepsis and gastrointestinal complications. There was minimal morbidity related to the IORT. Although the median survival of 16.5 months seemed to be an improvement over our previous results for ERT alone or ERT with 5-fluorouracil, the survival data are still discouraging. Further improvements in treatment will require better means of biliary bypass and increased tumour response perhaps by the use of radiosensitizers or hyperthermia in conjunction with radiation therapy.

Interstitial microwave-induced hyperthermia and iridium brachytherapy for the treatment of obstructing biliary carcinomas

In a phase I clinical study, 10 patients with obstructive biliary carcinomas were treated with single-antenna interstitial microwave hyperthermia and iridium-192 brachytherapy. For each patient a standard biliary drainage catheter was implanted percutaneously through the obstructed common bile duct. This catheter accommodated a single microwave antenna which operated at 915 MHz, and one or two fibreoptic thermometry probes for temperature measurement. Under fluoroscopic guidance the microwave antenna and temperature probes were positioned in the CT-determined tumour mass. The 60-min heat treatment achieved a central tumour temperature of 45-55 degrees C while keeping temperatures at the proximal and distal margins at 43 degrees C. Immediately following the hyperthermia treatment the microwave antenna and temperature probes were removed, and a single strand of iridium-192 double-strength seeds was inserted to irradiate the tumour length. A dose of 5500-7900 cGy calculated at 0.5 cm radially from the catheter was administered over 5-7 days. Upon removal of the iridium a second hyperthermia treatment was performed. A total of 18 hyperthermia treatments were administered to the 10 patients. In two cases the second hyperthermia treatment after brachytherapy was not possible due to a kink in the catheter, or bile precipitation in the catheter. All patients tolerated the procedure well, and there were no acute complications. To evaluate the volumetric heating potential of this hyperthermia method, specific absorption rate (SAR) values were measured at 182 planar points in muscle phantom. Insulated and non-insulated antenna performance was tested at 915 MHz in a biliary catheter filled with air, saline, or bile to mimic clinical treatments. The insulated antenna exhibited the best performance. Differences between antenna performance in saline and bile were also noted. In summary, this technique may have potential for tumours which obstruct biliary drainage and are accessible to percutaneous decompression using standard diagnostic radiological procedures.

Analysis of failure after curative irradiation of extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma

Thirty-four patients with subtotally resected or unresectable carcinoma of the extrahepatic bile ducts received radiation therapy; a minimum of 45 Gy (external beam) to the tumor and regional lymph nodes +/- 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Seventeen patients received an external beam boost of 5 to 15 Gy to the tumor, and a specialized boost was used in the remaining 17 patients (iridium-192 transcatheter seeds in 10 and intraoperative radiation therapy [IORT] with electrons in seven). The median time to death in all 34 patients was 12 months (range, 4 to 98-months). The only patients who survived longer than 18 months were those either with gross total or subtotal resection before external irradiation (2 of 6) or who received specialized boosts (192Ir, 3 of 10; IORT, 3 of 7). Local failure was documented in 9 of 17 patients who received external beam irradiation alone +/- 5-FU, 3 of 10 patients who received an 192Ir boost, and 2 of 6 patients who received an IORT boost with curative intent.

Radiotherapy of cholangiocarcinoma: the roles for primary and adjuvant therapies

A total of 22 patients with cholangiocarcinoma who had been treated with external radiotherapy between 1978 and 1989 were analyzed. Of the 22 patients, 18 had cancer of the hepatic hilus (Klatskin) and 4 had intrahepatic biliary cancer; all but 2 of the subjects had advanced disease. In all, 16 patients underwent primary irradiation for unresectable tumors, 4 were subjected to adjuvant irradiation after gross tumor resection, and 2 received preoperative irradiation followed by gross tumor resection. The mean initial irradiation dose was 52.0 Gy (range, 26-78 Gy). The TDF (time-dose-fractionation) for the entire course of radiotherapy ranged from 49 to 154 (mean, 100). The median survival of all patients was 10 months, and the cumulative 1-year survival value was 37.7%. The external radiotherapy proved to be effective in the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma in terms of palliation and survival.

Radiation therapy for primary carcinoma of the extrahepatic biliary system. An analysis of 63 cases

From 1976 to 1988, 63 patients received radiation therapy for primary cancers of the extrahepatic biliary system (eight gallbladder and 55 extrahepatic biliary duct). Twelve patients underwent orthotopic liver transplantation. Chemotherapy was administered to 13 patients. Three patients underwent intraluminal brachytherapy alone (range, 28 to 55 Gy). Sixty patients received megavoltage external-beam radiation therapy (range, 5.4 to 61.6 Gy; median, 45 Gy), of whom nine received additional intraluminal brachytherapy (range, 14 to 45 Gy; median, 30 Gy). The median survival of all patients was 7 months. Sixty patients died, all within 39 months of radiation therapy. One patient is alive 11 months after irradiation without surgical resection, and two are alive 50 months after liver transplantation and irradiation. Symptomatic duodenal ulcers developed after radiation therapy in seven patients but were not significantly related to any clinical variable tested. Extrahepatic biliary duct cancers, the absence of metastases, increasing calendar year of treatment, and liver transplantation with postoperative radiation therapy were factors significantly associated with improved survival.

Radiation therapy for primary carcinoma of the extrahepatic biliary system. An analysis of 63 cases

From 1976 to 1988, 63 patients received radiation therapy for primary cancers of the extrahepatic biliary system (eight gallbladder and 55 extrahepatic biliary duct). Twelve patients underwent orthotopic liver transplantation. Chemotherapy was administered to 13 patients. Three patients underwent intraluminal brachytherapy alone (range, 28 to 55 Gy). Sixty patients received megavoltage external-beam radiation therapy (range, 5.4 to 61.6 Gy; median, 45 Gy), of whom nine received additional intraluminal brachytherapy (range, 14 to 45 Gy; median, 30 Gy). The median survival of all patients was 7 months. Sixty patients died, all within 39 months of radiation therapy. One patient is alive 11 months after irradiation without surgical resection, and two are alive 50 months after liver transplantation and irradiation. Symptomatic duodenal ulcers developed after radiation therapy in seven patients but were not significantly related to any clinical variable tested. Extrahepatic biliary duct cancers, the absence of metastases, increasing calendar year of treatment, and liver transplantation with postoperative radiation therapy were factors significantly associated with improved survival.

Radiation therapy in extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma

Fifty-one patients with carcinoma of the extrahepatic bile ducts (EHBD) received radiation therapy between January 1980 and December 1988. The location of the tumors was: proximal third, 20 patients; middle third, 23 patients; distal third, 3; diffuse, 5 patients. Thirty-six patients underwent surgery with complete gross resection in 14 (10/14 with positive margins), incomplete gross resection in 12 and only biopsy in 10. Fifteen patients had only biliary drainage without laparotomy after cytologic diagnosis of malignancy in 11/15. Radiation therapy was done with curative intent after complete or incomplete resection (n = 26) and it was palliative in patients who had no resection or only biliary drainage (n = 25). Twenty-five patients received external radiation-therapy (ERT) alone to the tumor and lymph nodes (mean dose 45 Gy/2 Gy per fraction for cure, 35 Gy/10 fractions for palliation), 8 patients had only iridium-192 (192Ir) implant (50-60 Gy at a 1 cm radius for cure, 30 Gy for palliation), 17 patients had both ERT + 192Ir (ERT 42.5 Gy + 192Ir 10-15 Gy for cure; ERT 20 Gy/5 fractions + 192Ir 20-30 Gy for palliation) and one intra-operative irradiation + ERT. The overall survival for the entire group was 55, 28.5 and 15% at 12, 24, 36 months and median survival 12 months. Median survival was 22 months in patients treated with curative intent and only 10 months after palliative treatment (p 0.03). Among patients who had curative treatment, median survival was 27.5 months after complete gross resection and 13 months after incomplete gross resection (p 0.045).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Resection combined with intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) for stage IV (TNM) gallbladder carcinoma

From October 1976 to May, 1990, a total of 86 patients with stage IV (TNM) gallbladder cancer were treated at Tsukuba University Hospital. Twenty-seven of the 86 patients underwent tumor resection; 43 patients received palliative surgery. The remaining 16 were too advanced to have surgery. Of 27 patients who had tumor resection, 9 had resection alone, 17 had intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) +/- postoperative external radiotherapy (ERT), and 1 had postoperative ERT. The procedures used were: extended right hepatic lobectomy plus hepaticobiliary resection (HBR) (n = 2), hepatic segmentectomy (SIVb, SV) plus HBR (n = 9), hepatic segmentectomy (SIV, V, VI) with HBR (n = 1), hepatic segmentectomy (SIV, V) plus HBR with pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) (n = 3), PD plus HBR (n = 1), cholecystectomy with wedge resection of the gallbladder fossa plus HBR (n = 3), and cholecystectomy plus HBR (n = 3), and cholecystectomy (n = 4). Regional lymph node dissections were performed in every patient and 17 of 27 patients underwent additional resections of adjacent organs such as the stomach, duodenum, colon, and abdominal wall. A single dose of 20-30 Gy was delivered intraoperatively for 17 patients. A mean total dose of 36.4 Gy (1.8/fraction) was added to IORT for 10 patients. The three-year cumulative survival rate was 10.1% for resection plus IORT but 0% for resection alone. The longest survivor is alive and well at 3 years and 3 patients are alive 16, 13, and 4 months after tumor resection followed by IORT plus ERT.

Intraoperative radiation therapy for carcinoma of the gallbladder

The recognition of a high incidence of local failure following surgical management of adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder has led to the use of adjuvant radiation therapy. In order to deliver higher doses to the gallbladder bed, intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) has been used both with and without external beam radiation. The experience to date is reviewed. Ten patients have been treated, all of whom had either gross residual or unresected disease. The median survival for the group was approximately 1 year. There were no long-term survivors. The IORT did not contribute to the overall morbidity. Because of the limited number of patients and the advanced nature of the disease, the role of IORT in the management of gallbladder carcinoma has yet to be determined. The utility of this modality will most likely reside in the treatment of minimal residual disease at the time of cholecystectomy rather than in the palliative treatment of unresectable tumors.

Primary carcinoma of the gallbladder

Seventy-four patients with primary carcinoma of the gallbladder, diagnosed over 18 years from 1969 to 1987, were studied retrospectively. The most common presenting complaint was abdominal pain, followed by jaundice and weight loss. Surgery was performed in 61 patients and of these patients, only two had accurate preoperative diagnosis which was made by ultrasonography. Twelve of the 13 patients who were treated medically had the disease diagnosed at autopsy. One of the 13 patients had the diagnosis of gallbladder cancer by the findings of ultrasonography and abdominal computed tomography (CT) scanning. The resectability of the surgically managed group was 36.1%, and the majority of patients with advanced tumors (82.2%) were deemed unresectable. The most common histologic type was adenocarcinoma. Liver was the organ most commonly invaded (76.5%) by direct extension and/or metastases, followed by regional lymph nodes (52.9%). The overall 5-year survival rate was 5.4%. A high index of suspicion of the disease, intraoperative examination of gallbladder specimen, and earlier, more aggressive surgical treatment may improve patient survival.

Carcinoma of the extrahepatic bile ducts

Thirty-seven patients with carcinoma of the extrahepatic bile ducts (EHBD), diagnosed over 14 years from 1974 to 1987, were studied retrospectively. The most common presenting complaint was jaundice, followed by abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and weight loss. The majority of EHBD carcinomas were located at the middle third of the bile duct (43.2%), followed by upper third bile duct (37.8%), and lower third bile duct (18.9%). The resectability of the surgically managed group was 44.4%. The most common histologic type was adenocarcinoma. The 30-day postoperative mortality was 30.6%. The mean overall survival of the patients with EHBD carcinoma was 11.2 months. Patients with distal third tumors had the best prognosis with a mean overall survival of 16.0 months. The mean overall survival of patients with upper-third and middle-third tumors were 10.9 months and 9.4 months. A high index of suspicion of the disease as well as earlier, aggressive surgery may improve patient survival.

Carcinoma of the gallbladder

Gallbladder cancer remains difficult to diagnose preoperatively. However, recent work suggests that ultrasound may be effective. Gallbladder cancer remains highly lethal despite aggressive therapy. Extension of the disease beyond the mucosa predicts a poor chance of long-term survival.

Endoscopic retrograde brush cytology. A new technique

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography has been shown to be a very valuable adjunct in the diagnosis of malignancy involving the biliary and/or pancreatic ductal system. However, characteristic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography radiographic findings associated with malignant strictures are frequently not specific and cytological confirmation becomes essential for the diagnosis. Unfortunately, the current overall diagnostic yield of positive cytology in such circumstances ranges from 18%-56% depending on the technique. A new brush device has been designed which is uniquely adapted to pancreaticobiliary strictures of varying anatomical configurations. This study shows results using this new cytology brush in a series of 53 patients with pancreaticobiliary malignancy. A significant improvement in the cytological yield of tumor confirmation was obtained with a diagnostic sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 100% using the new brush technique.

Combined modality therapy of extrahepatic biliary system cancer

From January 1985 to December 1988, 10 patients with local/regional extrahepatic biliary system cancer (gallbladder: 2, Klatskin: 4, common bile duct: 4) underwent combined modality therapy. Laparotomy and biopsy or subtotal resection were performed in six patients and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram, and biliary drainage in four patients. Patients initially received 5000 cGy to the tumor bed and primary nodal area. Eight received an additional 1500 cGy boost to the tumor bed. Chemotherapy (5-FU/mitomycin-C) was delivered at the beginning of each radiation treatment course. Four patients received an additional 1-4 cycles of maintenance chemotherapy and six received a boost with brachytherapy. The mean survival was 32 months and the median survival was 16 months. Five patients are currently NED at 16, 17, 17, 48, and 52 months. The overall 3-year actuarial survival was 50%. The cumulative incidence of failure as a component of failure was local/regional: 50%, abdominal: 40%, and distant: 10%. Of the five patients who developed failure, all developed a component of local/regional failure. Our data show that this approach is feasible and offers similar results to those reported in the literature. However, further follow-up will be needed to determine if this combined modality approach offers improved local control and survival rates compared with surgery or biliary bypass/drainage alone.

The role of radiotherapy in the treatment of bile duct carcinoma

Forty-two patients with irresectable bile duct carcinoma (n = 31) or with microscopic evidence of tumor rest after aggressive surgery for bile duct carcinoma (n = 11) were given radiotherapy consisting intentionally of external-beam therapy and intraluminal 192Iridium (192Ir) wire application(s) following bile drainage procedures. The treatment was well tolerated; complications were mainly infectious and related to the success of the drainage. A median survival of 10 months was achieved for the group as a whole. Patients treated following microscopically incomplete resection survived longer than patients with an irresectable tumor (15 vs 8 months median survival, p = 0.06). Gross lymph node involvement also proved to be a prognostic factor.

Primary carcinoma of the gallbladder. Adjuvant postoperative external irradiation

Seven patients received the same postoperative (Postop) external-beam irradiation (NRT) after apparent complete removal of gallbladder carcinoma between August 1983 to February 1988. A dosage of 4600 cGy were delivered on a first volume (average treated volume 0.87 liters) corresponding to this of potentially locoregional disease, completed by a boost dose of 900 cGy on the gallbladder bed. Moderate acute side effects were seen in five patients; regressive dyspepsia in three and mean weight loss of 1.5 kg in three. The minimum follow-up is 5 months and the maximum is 58 months. Five patients are alive with no evidence of disease (NED) after 5, 9, 11, 31, and 58 months, respectively. One died at 12 months with local recurrence, liver metastasis, and peritoneal implants. Another one died at 26 months of abdominal recurrence. With regard to the natural history of this tumor, the dismal results obtained by surgery alone, and our preliminary data, we advocate Postop adjuvant XRT as a safe treatment.

Gallbladder carcinoma: role of radiation therapy

Gallbladder carcinoma continues to be a discouraging disease. Prognosis after resection still remains poor. Radiation therapy has been used in an attempt to improve the prognosis but only a few series of less than ten cases have been reported. Since 1977 we have treated 20 patients with gallbladder carcinoma with postoperative radiotherapy (mean total dose 4200 radiation absorbed dose). In four patients all the tumour was resected with the intent of cure. In 12 patients, the lesion was partially resected and in four patients no resection was performed. Seven patients in whom the tumour was partially resected or not resected also had chemotherapy. Our evaluation was retrospective and we compared our results with historical control groups comparable with respect to surgical procedures and pathological staging. In patients operated on for cure, one patient is alive at 84 months, the others died at 7, 8 and 33 months. In patients in whom the tumour was partially resected the mean survival time was 8.1 months and two patients are still alive 7.0 months after treatment. According to the Nevin classification the mean survival time in stage IV and V patients was respectively 9.2 and 7.2 months. There was no difference in survival between patients treated or not treated with chemotherapy. This experience is the largest published and suggests that radiotherapy may increase survival after no resection or palliative resection of gallbladder carcinoma.

Combination chemo-radiation therapy for jaundice due to focal malignant obstruction of the major bile ducts

Twenty patients with focal malignant obstruction of the major bile ducts (6 cholangiocarcinoma, 8 colorectal, 3 hepatoma, 2 unknown primary, and 1 gastric cancer) were treated on a protocol examining the toxicity and efficacy in relieving jaundice of external beam radiation therapy (4500 cGy in 300 cGy fractions) combined with continuous hepatic arterial (15 patients) or peripheral venous (5 patients) fluorouracil infusion. Toxicity of this regimen consisted of anorexia with mild nausea and vomiting in 55% of patients and gastric ulceration (responsive to medical management) in 15% of patients. One patient exhibited transient grade 2 hepatic toxicity and one had asymptomatic grade 4 leukopenia. Of 14 patients treated without prior biliary drainage, 8 exhibited a decrease in bilirubin levels from a mean of 14.5 mg/dl to 1.5 mg/dl. Four of six patients with biliary drainage catheters at the start of treatment were able to have them removed without reobstruction. For the 8 responding patients among those who did not have cholangiocarcinomas, the median response duration was 5 months with a median survival from treatment of 6.5 months. For the 4 responding patients with cholangiocarcinoma, the median response duration was 16 months with a median survival from treatment of 20 months. All responders did not have a return of jaundice due to reobstruction of the major ducts (until death or to the present). All responders who have died did so due to tumor progression outside of the treated field except for one who died of unrelated causes. The mean number of proven or presumed episodes of cholangitis per patient was virtually identical in those without (1.8) and those with stents/tubes (1.4, p = 0.561). This regionally focused combined modality cytotoxic therapy was able to relieve obstruction in the majority of patients without excess morbidity (including a lack of any detectable increase in sepsis). Thus, it appears feasible to consider randomized studies of this cytotoxic approach versus standard mechanical drainage procedures to define the relative risks and benefits of each.

Definitive radiation therapy in bile duct carcinoma

Between 1980 and 1985, 24 patients with primary adenocarcinoma of the bile duct were treated with various combinations of surgery, biliary intubation, external irradiation, and transcatheter brachytherapy. Seventy-five percent of tumors were in the proximal bile ducts. Ten patients received no or only palliative radiation, Group 1, whereas 14 patients received definitive courses of radiation (4 by external beam irradiation, 2 by transcatheter irradiation, and 8 by both modalities), Group 2. Survival in Group 1 and Group 2 was significantly different (p less than 0.005) with median survivals of 2.0 and 12.8 months, respectively. This result may be in part due to differences in treatment and in part due to selection bias because the series is small, uncontrolled, and retrospective. Median survival of the 8 patients treated with combined modalities was 13.2 months (range 7.4-30.3) with 4 patients alive 8.7 to 16.2 months, 3 without cholangiographic evidence of disease. Complications of therapy were common, including bacterial sepsis (58%), cholangitis (38%), gastrointestinal bleeding (46%), intra or extrahepatic abscesses (33%), and recurrent biliary obstruction (25%). Cholangitis, hemorrhage, abscesses, and ulcers appeared more frequently in definitively treated patients, whereas recurrent biliary obstruction was absent in this group and frequent in Group 1. Differences in complication rates between groups were not statistically significant. Early diagnosis and management usually reversed a downhill clinical course in patients with abscess and hemorrhage. Both surgical and percutaneous techniques of biliary decompression, the usual initial form of therapy in bile duct cancer, are associated with frequent and serious complications. Although many of our complications may have derived from biliary decompression, it is possible that definitive treatment may have increased the frequency of serious complications.

Intracatheter hyperthermia and iridium-192 radiotherapy in the treatment of bile duct carcinoma

We report a case of a patient with locally advanced bile duct carcinoma treated with 4500 cGy external beam radiotherapy, followed 3 weeks later by intracatheter 915 MHz microwave hyperthermia and radiotherapy delivered through a biliary U-tube placed at the time of surgery. Heating was to 43-45 degrees C for 1 hour followed immediately by intracatheter Iridium-192 seeds to deliver 5000 cGy over a 72 hour period. Prior to treatment, a thermal dosimetry study in phanton was conducted, using the same type of U-tube catheter tubing as in the patient. Orthogonal X rays of the patient's porta hepatis region were used to reconstruct the catheter geometry in the phantom. Proper insertion depth was determined thermographically to obtain maximum heating at the center of the tumor. The maximum SAR was 8.8 watts per kilogram per watt input. During the treatment, the average power applied was 30 W. Six months after therapy, the patient is asymptomatic. Although alkaline phosphatase, SGOT and SGPT have remained elevated, bilirubin has returned to normal and computerized tomographic scans and cholangiograms remain stable. A duodenal ulcer developed after therapy and is healing well with conservative medical management. This case demonstrates that hyperthermia applied through biliary drainage catheters is technically feasible and clinically tolerated. We believe the use of intracatheter hyperthermia in conjunction with external and/or intracatheter radiotherapy in selected patients with unresectable bile duct carcinomas warrants further study.

Carcinoma of the extrahepatic biliary system--results of primary and adjuvant radiotherapy

From 1975-1983, 20 patients with primary carcinomas of the gallbladder (GB) or extrahepatic bile ducts (EHBD) were irradiated with curative intent at the Washington University Medical Center and affiliated hospitals. Of the 17 patients with EHBD cancer, one received adjuvant irradiation after gross resection with positive microscopic margins. All others received primary irradiation for unresectable tumors, or for gross residual tumor after incomplete resection. The 8 patients receiving Ir192 implant in addition to external radiation showed improved (p = 0.06) survival compared to the 9 receiving external only: median 15 months (range 1.5-34 + months) versus 7 months (range 2.5-21 months). Failures were predominantly local-regional, with only one patient showing metastatic spread without known local-regional tumor. Adjuvant radiation therapy was given after cholecystectomy to 3 patients with GB cancers showing tumor extension beyond the serosa or to regional lymphatics. Of these, two survived at 22+ and 27+ months; the third died of local recurrence at 5 1/2 months. Although numbers are small, these results appear to support the use of adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with microscopic residual GB cancer. Aggressive local and regional radiotherapy can add to the quality and length of survival in both patient groups, that is, those with resectable lesions with high likelihood of microscopic residual, and also those with unresectable or gross residual disease after surgery.

125I interstitial implant, precision high-dose external beam therapy, and 5-FU for unresectable adenocarcinoma of pancreas and extrahepatic biliary tree

Twelve patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas and two patients with carcinoma of the extrahepatic biliary tree received combined therapy with 125I implant, precision high-dose (PHD) photon external beam therapy, and systemic 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The 125I implant delivered 120 to 210 Gy (median 140 Gy). PHD external beam therapy was given with high-energy photons (10, 15 or 45 meVp) and was initiated 4 to 6 weeks postimplant. A dose of 48.6 to 63 Gy was delivered over 5.5 to 7 weeks in 1.8 Gy increments. Six patients received 5-FU, 500 mg/m2 via weekly intravenous bolus injection. No patient was lost to follow-up (range, 3.5-57 months). Acute postoperative morbidity included pancreatic fistula in two patients and gastrointestinal tract bleeding, pulmonary embolism, and cholangitis in one patient each. No patient died of radiation complications. Median survival of the patients with pancrease cancer was 15 months. One patient is alive at 41 months with hepatic metastasis. Satisfactory palliation was observed in patients with pancreas cancer treated with 125I interstitial implant followed by PHD external beam photon therapy and 5-FU. Patient survival did not seem superior to that of patients treated with PHD external beam therapy +/- chemotherapy, a less morbid procedure. Two cases of bile duct cancer treated in similar fashion are presented.

[Intraductal chemotherapy of bile duct cancer with 5-fluorouracil]

The prognosis of bile duct cancer is still poor. Curative surgical therapy is possible in only 10%-20% of cases. Palliative effects of chemotherapy and radiation are small. Newer palliative techniques like iridium 192 wire radiation or hepatic artery infusion of chemotherapeutic agents seem to be more effective. Another new form of palliative local chemotherapy, intrabiliary application of 5-fluorouracil, is described. A 67-year-old woman with an adenocarcinoma of the left and common hepatic ducts received symptomatic therapy by an external biliary drainage for 20 months. In the following 3 weeks the amount of drained bile diminished and finally stopped, while icterus occurred. Catheter cholangiography showed a right catheter position, the known obstruction of the common hepatic duct and the left bile duct, and a diffuse right-sided peripheral bile duct occlusion, regarded as multifocal tumor spreading. Intraductal application of 5-fluorouracil via the PTCD tube, 125-375 mg twice a week, effected a rising bile secretion after a few days, to a final volume of 1,000 ml/day. An X-ray control 34 days after start of the therapy showed a nearly complete reopening of the formerly occluded peripheral bile duct system and a filiform reopening of the common hepatic duct with sufficient flowing off into the common bile duct and the duodenum. Certain side effects of this therapy were not noticed. After successful reopening of malignant bile tract occlusion, other palliative therapeutic techniques like internal bile drainage or iridium 192 wire radiation can be applied.

Local control and survival in locally advanced gastrointestinal cancer

When conventional modalities (external beam irradiation and chemotherapy +/- resection) are used in the treatment of locally advanced gastrointestinal malignancies, although useful palliation can be achieved in many patients, local control and long-term survival are infrequent. In recent trials, investigators have used fractionated external beam doses of 4500-5000 rad in 180 rad fractions in combination with irradiation boost techniques of intraoperative electrons, or intraoperative or transcatheter brachytherapy (+/- chemotherapy and resection). With colorectal and biliary cancer, both local control and long-term survival appear to be improved, compared to results achieved with conventional treatment. With pancreatic cancer, an apparent improvement has been noted with local control and median survival, but long-term survival has not been altered. For partially resected gastric cancer, the use of intraoperative irradiation has yielded five year survival rates of approximately 20%. With unresectable or residual gastric cancer, accelerated fractionation alone or in combination with chemotherapy has yielded excellent local control, but patients have died as a result of abdominal failure or lung metastases. Prevention of abdominal failures will be necessary to improve long-term survival with pancreatic and gastric cancer. Randomized trials by site are needed to determine if the observed differences seen in prospective nonrandomized trials are real or due to differences in case selection.

Intraluminal radiation therapy in the management of malignant biliary obstruction

Fifteen patients with malignant biliary obstruction from carcinoma of the bile ducts, gallbladder, and pancreas (Group I) or metastatic disease (Group II) were treated with intraluminal radiation therapy (ILRT) at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. In 11 cases ILRT was used as a central boost in combination with 3000 cGy external beam radiation therapy (ERT). No significant treatment toxicity was observed. Cholangiographic response was observed in 2 of 12 evaluable patients. In no patient was long-term relief of jaundice without indwelling biliary stent achieved. Survival from treatment in eight Group I patients treated with ILRT +/- ERT was 3 to 13 months (median, 4.5). Survival in seven similarly treated Group II patients was 0.5 to 8 months (median, 4.0). Additional data for ten similar patients referred for ILRT but treated with ERT alone are presented. Analysis of this and other reports indicate the need for prospective controlled trials of the role of this regimen in the management of malignant biliary obstruction before wider application can be recommended.

Residual, recurrent, or unresectable gastrointestinal cancer. Role of radiation in single or combined modality treatment

When conventional modalities of external beam irradiation and chemotherapy +/- resection are used in the treatment of locally advanced gastrointestinal malignancies, although useful palliation can be achieved in many patients, cure and long-term survival is infrequent. Aggressive combined modality approaches have recently encorporated irradiation boost techniques with intraoperative electrons or intraoperative or transcatheter brachytherapy. Both local control and long-term survival appear to be improved when compared with results achieved with conventional treatment. Randomized trials are needed to determine if the observed differences are real or due to differences in case selection.

Primary cancers of extrahepatic biliary passages

We analyzed the records of 22 patients with cancers of extrahepatic biliary passages (EHBP) to understand their natural histories and patterns of failure and to evaluate the effectiveness of various treatments. None of the preoperative investigations consistently defined the entire extent of tumor. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTHC) was the most helpful (100%) in accurately defining the site of ductal obstruction. Computed tomography was helpful in diagnosing liver metastases in 53% and primary tumor mass in 23% of patients. The most common sites of tumor failure or persistence were: liver (67%), tumor bed (56%), peritoneum (22%), porta hepatis and lymph nodes (17%). The median survival for the entire group was 6.8 months. Surgery plays an important role in managing these tumors and in defining tumor extent for subsequent adjuvant irradiation. Patients receiving radiation doses greater than or equal to 70 TDF had a longer median survival (11 months) than patients receiving less than 70 TDF (4.4 months). All three patients, who were alive and free of disease greater than 1 year, received radiation doses greater than or equal to 70 TDF. From our data, it is difficult to comment on the effectiveness of chemotherapy. We have made suggestions regarding radiation volume and doses to various structures. The need for entering these patients into multi-institutional clinical trials is stressed.

Management of cancer of the bile duct

Tumors of the bile duct are uncommon. Most patients will present with a syndrome of obstructive jaundice, but in a few patients the tumor can mimic benign disease of the biliary tract. Cholangiography continues to be the basis of diagnosis and gives important information for a decision on therapy. Histologic diagnosis is helpful when available, although frequently difficult to obtain and not always possible. The overall prognosis for these patients remains poor. Currently, a multidisciplinary approach is required to select for each patient the best therapy with the lowest morbidity and mortality. It should include a surgeon, gastrointestinal endoscopist, interventional radiologist, and radiotherapist. The prognosis for a patient appears to be related to the tumor's location, resectability, and, in our experience, differentiation. Therapy should be tailored to each patient based on location of the tumor, extent of the disease, condition of the patient, expertise available in each institution, and morbidity and mortality associated with each procedure. At the Lahey Clinic, the resectability rate for bile duct tumor is currently 25 per cent. Resection is more frequently possible for tumor of the distal bile duct and can result in a five-year survival rate of up to 30 per cent. For patients with unresectable distal tumor at the time of operation, a proximal hepaticojejunostomy is the palliative procedure of choice. If nonresectability of a distal tumor is determined before operation, the decision to proceed with an endoscopic placement of a stent versus surgical hepaticojejunostomy or placement of a T tube needs to be an individual one. Although five-year survival for tumor of the proximal bile duct is anecdotal, those patients who undergo resection have the longest survival and may have better palliation than those who undergo strictly palliative, nonresective procedures. To warrant exploration for resection of tumor of the proximal bile duct, careful patient selection is required, and the morbidity and mortality of operation must be minimized. An increasing role of percutaneous transhepatic techniques of decompression of the biliary tract is expected as they improve and gain wider acceptance. They are the procedures of choice in very high-risk surgical patients or in patients determined before operation to have unresectable disease. Improvement in the survival of patients with cancer of the bile duct probably depends on development of better adjuvant therapy, such as new techniques of radiation therapy and new modalities of chemotherapy, in association with surgery or with a percutaneous or endoscopic intubation technique.

Malignant obstructive jaundice: treatment with external-beam and intracavitary radiotherapy

Eleven patients with obstructive jaundice from unresectable cholangiocarcinoma, metastatic porta hepatis adenopathy, or direct compression from a pancreatic malignancy were treated at the Stanford University Medical Center from 1978-1983 with an external drainage procedure followed by high-dose external-beam radiotherapy and by an intracavitary boost to the site of obstruction with Iridium192 (Ir192). A median dose of 5000 cGy was delivered with 4-6 Mv photons to the tumor bed and regional lymphatics in 9 patients, 1 patient received 2100 cGy to the liver in accelerated fractions because of extensive intrahepatic disease, and 1 patient received 7000 "equivalent" cGy to his pancreatic tumor bed and regional lymphatics with neon heavy particles. An Ir192 wire source later delivered a 3100-10,647 cGy boost to the site of biliary obstruction in each patient, for a mean combined dose of 10,202 cGy to a point 5 mm from the line source. Few acute complications were noted, but 3/11 patients (27%) subsequently developed upper gastrointestinal bleeding from duodenitis or frank duodenal ulceration 4 weeks, 4 months, and 7.5 months following treatment. Eight patients died--5 with local recurrence +/- distant metastasis, 2 with sepsis, and 1 with widespread systemic metastasis. Autopsies revealed no evidence of biliary tree obstruction in 3/3 patients. Mean survival time from initial laparotomy and bypass was 16.1 months, and from radiotherapy completion was 8.3 months. Evolution of radiation treatment techniques for biliary obstruction in the literature is reviewed. High-dose external-beam therapy followed by high-dose Ir192 intracavitary boost is well tolerated and provides significant palliation. Survival of these aggressively managed patients approaches that of patients with primarily resectable tumors.

The role of radiation therapy in carcinoma of the extrahepatic bile ducts

Carcinoma of the extrahepatic bile ducts is uncommon, and the primary management has been largely surgical. Radiotherapy for this disease has received minimal attention, although recent innovations have prompted increased interest. We report a retrospective review of 34 patients treated with radiotherapy between 1967 and 1982. The five-year survival rate was 6%, and the median survival was 11 months. Patient characteristics, treatment techniques, and outcome for the entire group, as well as selected subgroups are discussed. Two patients treated by interventional radiographic techniques, external irradiation, and transcatheter intracavitary brachytherapy are presented in detail. The current surgical, radiotherapeutic, and chemotherapeutic literature is reviewed.

Radiotherapy of high bile duct carcinoma using intra-catheter iridium 192 wire

The authors developed an original procedure of endo-curietherapy of high bile duct carcinoma. An iridium 192 wire is inserted into either a percutaneous transhepatic catheter or a surgically implanted external diversion catheter. The delivered dose varies between 10 and 60 Gy at 1 cm from the wire. Four of the seven patients analyzed also received external irradiation. There were no systemic or local complications. All patients experienced symptomatic relief and four are alive with no evidence of disease. This well-tolerated procedure permits symptomatic palliation without excessive side effects for the patient. In some cases, a curative effect can be expected.

Analysis of failure following curative irradiation of gallbladder and extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma

Twenty patients with carcinoma of the gallbladder (GB-4 patients) or extrahepatic bile ducts (EHBD-16 patients) received radiation therapy with curative intent between January, 1980 and December, 1982. All 20 received 4500-5000 rad in 180-200 rad fractions to the tumor and regional lymph nodes. A 1000 to 1500 rad external beam boost was delivered in 180-200 rad fractions in 10 patients who received external beam alone or concomitant 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). Three of the four GB and 5 of the 16 EHBD patients received a transcatheter boost with 192-Iridium (192Ir) to a dose of 2000-2500 rad calculated at a 0.5-0.1 cm radius. An additional 2 patients with EHBD lesions received an intraoperative electron (IORT) boost of 1500-2000 rad in one fraction calculated to the 90% isodose. Survival and patterns of failure were analyzed by site and treatment method. All four patients with GB carcinoma are dead of disease at 5 1/2, 6, 9 and 10 months from the date of diagnosis respectively. Three of the four developed diffuse peritoneal carcinomatosis. Five of the 16 patients with EHBD carcinoma are alive with a median follow-up of 18 months (range 6-23 months). Four of the 5 patients received a transcatheter 192Ir or IORT boost and all are without evidence of disease. Four of 9 patients who had a subtotal resection with transection of tumor, dilatation of the bile ducts with probes or curettement of the bile ducts developed either diffuse peritoneal carcinomatosis (3 patients) or a recurrence in the surgical scar (2 patients). Local failure was documented in 3 of the nine patients treated with external beam alone +/- 5-FU, and has been documented in one of the seven patients who received an IORT or transcatheter 192Ir boost. Further experience is necessary to determine whether this aggressive treatment will result in long-term disease-free survival in these patients.

Cholangiocarcinoma. A place for brachytherapy

Carcinoma arising from the common hepatic duct is unique in its clinical course and is difficult to manage due to its dismal prognosis. The case reported and the treatment reflected not only the highly selective process but also the innovation of the intracatheter brachytherapy technique available to date. Exploratory laparotomy appears essential to identify the extent of the tumor and localize the area for brachytherapy. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and placements of the indwelling catheter should be reserved for non-surgical candidates whose long-term survival is limited. Review of pertinent literature also shows various roles of irradiation in the management of this disease. The potentials of intraoperative therapy, brachytherapy, external beam therapy and their combinations were examined to implement the future recommendation of the treatment.

A new method for treating carcinomatous biliary obstruction with intracatheter radium

We describe a new method for relieving biliary obstruction due to malignant solid tumors. The method consists of placement of radium needles in a Ring biliary drainage catheter for three days. After removing the radium needles, the catheter is left in place to allow for repair of irradiated tissues, then it is removed. The object is to leave the patient with a patent biliary tree without a biliary drainage prosthesis. The clinical course of six patients treated by this method is described, and the autopsy findings in three cases are outlined. Three patients died with a serum total bilirubin ranging from 1--4.5 mg/100 ml, two to three months after removing the drainage catheter. Two patients died before the bile drainage catheter could be removed. One patient is alive with a bile drainage catheter in place. Possible modifications in technique and catheters are being considered.

Intraoperative radiotherapy for advanced carcinoma of the biliary system

Since November 1973, intraoperative radiotherapy has been performed on five patients with unresectable, advanced carcinoma of the bile duct at the hepatic hilus and six patients with unresectable carcinoma of the gallbladder. A treatment cone with a diameter ranging from 4--10 cm was directly applied at the lesion. A single dose of 2500--3000 rad with 11 to 20 meV electrons was delivered. In all patients, recanalization of the obstructed bile duct was observed by the postoperative cholangiography. The local efficacy was confirmed histopathologically in eight autopsied materials and a specimen resected 105 days after radiotherapy. Mean survival time of patients with unresectable tumors was 10.9 +/- 5.6 (SD) months after this radiotherapy. Intraoperative radiotherapy increased the effectiveness and length of palliation for the unresectable lesion.

Individualization of treatment for hilar bile duct cancers

Two cases of hilar bile duct cancer are presented, 1 treated with the preferred technique of left intrahepatic anastomosis, the other with tube drainage. The many factors to be considered before choosing the most appropriate procedure are stressed. A critique of several techniques is offered, with a discussion of the nuances in decision making. The surgeon who embarks upon treatment of such tumors should be thoroughly familiar with the wide range of procedures available; better selection should improve palliation.

Mitomycin C in advanced gallbladder carcinoma

Seven patients with advanced gallbladder carcinoma were given intraarterial infusions of 10 to 15 mg mitomycin C with 10 to 24 days' interval, 3 received intravenous infusion (10 mg/m2) with median 3 weeks' interval. Stationary disease was obtained in 4 patients, progressive disease in 4, and treatment failures in 2. The median survival after mitomycin C treatment was 4 months (range 1-23 +). Irreversible thrombocytopenia occurred in 2 patients and a severe gastrointestinal bleeding episode in one.

Cancer of the extrahepatic bile ducts

Case histories of 47 patients with histologically confirmed carcinoma of extrahepatic bile ducts presenting to M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute over a 30-year period were studied. The disease was more common in males during the sixth and seventh decades of life. A third of the patients had history of cholelithiasis. Four patients had prior history of chronic ulcerative colitis and one patient had congenital choledochal cyst prior to development of cancer of the bile duct. Jaundice was the earliest and the most common presenting sign. The tumor was located in the common bile duct more often than in the hepatic ducts. The overall median survival was eight months with two-year and five-year survival rates of 15% and 3%, respectively. The respective values for patients who had resectable tumors were 21.7 months, 57% and 20%. Ascending cholangitis was a frequent complication in patients treated with dilation and intubation and, overall, hepatic failure and systemic infection were more frequent causes of death than distant metastases.