Prognostic comparison of the longitudinal margin status in distal bile duct cancer: R0 on first bile duct resection versus R0 after additional resection

Impact of Surgical Margin Status on Survival and Recurrence After Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Distal Cholangiocarcinoma: Is Microscopic Residual Tumor (R1) Associated with Higher Rates of Local Recurrence?

BACKGROUND

Patients undergoing macroscopically curative resection for distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC) have high recurrence rates and poor prognoses. This study aimed to investigate the impact of surgical margin status on survival and recurrence after resection of DCC, specifically focusing on microscopic residual tumor (R1) and its relationship to local recurrence.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of patients who had undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for DCC between 2005 and 2021. Surgical margin was classified as R0, R1cis (positive bile duct margin with carcinoma in situ), and R1inv (positive bile duct margin with an invasive subepithelial component and/or positive radial margin).

RESULTS

In total, 29 of 133 patients (21.8%) had R1cis and 23 (17.3%) R1inv. The 5-year overall survival (OS) for R0 (55.7%) did not differ significantly from that for R1cis/R1inv (47.4%/33.6%, respectively). The 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) for R0 was significantly longer than that for R1inv (50.1% vs. 17.4%, p = 0.003), whereas RFS did not differ significantly between those with R0 and R1cis. R1cis/R1inv status was not an independent predictor of OS and RFS in multivariate analysis. Cumulative incidence of isolated distant recurrence was significantly higher for R1cis/R1inv than for R0 (p = 0.0343/p = 0.0226, respectively), whereas surgical margin status was not significantly associated with rates of local or local plus distant recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical margin status does not significantly impact OS and RFS in patients undergoing PD for DCC following precise preoperative imaging evaluation. Additionally, R1 status is significantly linked to higher isolated distant recurrence rather than local recurrence, highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary therapy.

Practice guidelines for managing extrahepatic biliary tract cancers

Backgrounds/Aims

Reported incidence of extrahepatic bile duct cancer is higher in Asians than in Western populations. Korea, in particular, is one of the countries with the highest incidence rates of extrahepatic bile duct cancer in the world. Although research and innovative therapeutic modalities for extrahepatic bile duct cancer are emerging, clinical guidelines are currently unavailable in Korea. The Korean Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery in collaboration with related societies (Korean Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery Society, Korean Society of Abdominal Radiology, Korean Society of Medical Oncology, Korean Society of Radiation Oncology, Korean Society of Pathologists, and Korean Society of Nuclear Medicine) decided to establish clinical guideline for extrahepatic bile duct cancer in June 2021.

Methods

Contents of the guidelines were developed through subgroup meetings for each key question and a preliminary draft was finalized through a Clinical Guidelines Committee workshop.

Results

In November 2021, the finalized draft was presented for public scrutiny during a formal hearing.

Conclusions

The extrahepatic guideline committee believed that this guideline could be helpful in the treatment of patients.

Different Oncologic Outcomes According to Margin Status (High-Grade Dysplasia vs. Carcinoma) in Patients Who Underwent Hilar Resection for Mid-Bile Duct Cancer

Margin positivity after hilar resection (HR) for bile duct cancer is commonly observed due to its longitudinal spread along the subepithelial plane; nevertheless, we cannot draw conclusions regarding the prognostic effects of margins with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or carcinoma. We aimed to investigate the oncologic effect according to the margin status after HR, particularly between the R1 HGD and the R1 carcinoma. From 2008 to 2017, 149 patients diagnosed with mid-bile duct cancer in Samsung Medical Center, South Korea, were divided according to margin status after HR and retrospectively analyzed. Recurrence patterns were also analyzed between the groups. There were 126 patients with R0 margins, nine with R1 HGD, and 14 with R1 carcinoma. The mean age of the patients was 68.3 (±8.1); most patients were male. The mean age was higher in R1 carcinoma patients than in R1 HGD and R0 patients (p = 0.014). The R1 HGD and R1 carcinoma groups had more patients with a higher T-stage than R0 (p = 0.079). In univariate analysis, the prognostic factors affecting overall survival were age, T- and N-stage, CA19-9, and margin status. The survival rate of R0 was comparable to that of R1 HGD, but the survival rate of R0 was significantly better compared to R1 carcinoma (R0 vs. R1 HGD, p = 0.215, R0 vs. R1 carcinoma, p = 0.042, respectively). The recurrence pattern between the margin groups did not differ significantly (p = 0.604). Extended surgery should be considered for R1 carcinoma; however, in R1 HGD, extended operation may not be necessary, as it may achieve oncologic outcomes similar to R0 margins with HR.

Utility and diagnostic accuracy of intraoperative frozen sections in hepato-pancreato-biliary surgical pathology

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgeries are one of the most challenging and complex procedures. Intraoperative frozen section (IFS) diagnosis plays a pivotal role in management decisions. Comprehensive large cohort studies evaluating utility of IFS in HPB malignancies are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of frozen section analysis and to analyse discrepancies and impact of IFS on the surgical decisions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective study of IFS received for the HPB specimens between years 2009 and 2021. The results were compared to the permanent sections to evaluate diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. Indications, disagreements and impact on the surgical management were analysed.

RESULTS

A total of 1008 specimens were evaluated: bile duct margin (279; 27.7%), gallbladder (203; 20.1%), liver lesions (125 cases; 12.4%), lymph nodes (147; 14.6%), pancreatic margin (120; 11.9%) and deposits (134; 13.3%). IFS were diagnosed as negative for malignancy (805; 79.9%), positive for dysplasia (8; 0.8%), suspicious for malignancy (6; 0.6%) and positive for malignancy (189; 18.8%). The overall diagnostic accuracy was 98.4%, and the discordant rate was 1.6%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 94.7%, 99.4%, 97.5% and 98.6% respectively. The most important reason of discordant results was technical, followed by interpretational and sampling errors.

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrates high diagnostic accuracy (98.4%) of IFS in a large dataset of HPB specimens. This comprehensive analysis apprises of the indications, errors and the impact of IFS diagnosis on subsequent HPB surgical management.

Prognostic Impact of Margin Status in Distal Cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

A positive ductal margin is strongly associated with poor survival in patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma. However, the significance of the radial margin status and its effect on survival are not fully clarified.

METHODS

All patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy between January 2000 and December 2018 at Tokai University Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Positive margins were divided into positive ductal margin and positive radial margin.

RESULTS

One hundred and eight consecutive patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma underwent pancreatoduodenectomy. Margin-negative R0 resection was performed in 85 patients (79%). Twenty-three patients (21%) had a positive resection margin (R1 resection). The 5-year survival rate and median overall survival for patients with R0 resection and those with R1 resection was 64%, 98 months and 25%, 26 months, respectively. There was a significant difference in survival between patients with R0 resection and those with R1 resection (p < 0.001). Patients with positive radial margin (n = 10) had a significantly worse outcome than those with positive ductal margin (n = 13) (p = 0.016). Univariate analysis showed that R1 resection, lymph node metastasis, tumor depth, portal vein invasion, pancreatic invasion, lymphatic invasion, and venous invasion were significant prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis confirmed that R1 resection and nodal involvement were significant independent prognostic indicators after surgical resection for distal cholangiocarcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Positive surgical margin and nodal involvement were the strongest predictors of poor survival in patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma. Patients with a positive radial margin had a significantly worse outcome than those with a positive ductal margin.

Minimally invasive versus open pancreaticoduodenectomy for distal bile duct cancer: an inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis of outcomes

BACKGROUND

Minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy (MIPD) has been extended to periampullary cancers, but the oncologic outcome of MIPD for distal bile duct cancer (DBDC) has not been confirmed yet.

METHODS

Patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for DBDC of stage I-IIb from 2015 to 2019 at a tertiary referral center were identified and divided into open PD (OPD) and MIPD groups, the latter including laparoscopic and robotic procedures. Survival was compared between the two groups after inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) using predetermined factors, and exploratory mediation analysis was performed using surgery-derived outcomes.

RESULTS

MIPD (n = 81) group had more female patients (46.9% vs 31.6%, p = 0.011) and longer operation time (366.2 min vs. 279.1 min, p < 0.001) than the OPD (n = 288) group before IPTW. Otherwise, intraoperative and immediate postoperative outcomes were comparable between the two groups. In oncologic outcomes, MIPD group showed comparable 3-year overall survival (78.2% vs 75.0%, p = 0.062) and recurrence-free survival (51.2% vs 53.4%, p = 0.871) rates with OPD group before IPTW, and MIPD was not related with survival (hazard ratio [HR] 0.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.29-1.26, p = 0.18) and recurrence (HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.67-1.53, p = 0.949) after IPTW with consideration of potential mediators. Sensitivity analysis using propensity score matching also showed similar results for survival (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.32-1.44, p = 0.312) and recurrence (HR 1.12, 95% CI 0.67-1.88, p = 0.653).

CONCLUSION

MIPD and OPD groups showed similar postoperative and oncologic outcomes. MIPD could be a considerable treatment option without oncological compromise in high-volume centers.

Pathological survey of precursor lesions in cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

To clarify the pathological significance of two precursors (high-grade biliary intraepithelial neoplasm [BilIN] and intraductal papillary neoplasm of bile duct [IPNB]) in cholangiocarcinomas (CCAs).

METHODS

Ninety-one cases of CCA (47 distal CCAs [dCCAs], 31 perihilar CCAs [pCCAs] and 13 intrahepatic CCAs of large duct type [LD-iCCAs]) were examined for their association with precursors. Neoplastic intraepithelial lesions without underlying infiltrating carcinoma in the surrounding mucosa of CCAs were considered to reflect high-grade BilIN. High-grade BilIN and IPNB were subdivided into gastric, biliary, intestinal and oncocytic subtypes, while CCAs were subdivided into gastrobiliary, intestinal and oncocytic subtypes. The postoperative overall survival (OS) was examined.

RESULTS

Fifty-four and 8 of 91 CCAs were associated with high-grade BilIN and IPNB, respectively, while these precursors were unidentifiable in the remaining CCAs. A majority of CCAs were of the gastrobiliary subtype, while the intestinal subtype was occasionally detected, and the oncocytic subtype was rare. CCAs with high-grade BilIN showed a similar postoperative OS to CCAs without precursors, while CCAs with IPNB showed a favorable postoperative OS compared to CCAs without precursors.

CONCLUSIONS

CCAs were frequently associated with precursors; high-grade BilIN may be a major precursor and IPNB a minor one. CCAs with IPNB showed a favorable postoperative OS compared to CCAs with high-grade BilIN.

Vascular resection for distal cholangiocarcinoma

PURPOSE

Vascular resection (VR) is extended surgery to attain a negative radial margin (RM) for distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC). The present study explored the significance of VR for DCC, focusing on VR, RM, and findings suggestive of vascular invasion on multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT).

METHODS

Patients with DCC who underwent resection between 2002 and 2019 were reviewed.

RESULTS

Among 230 patients, 25 received VR. The overall survival (OS) in the VR group was significantly worse than in the non-VR group (16.7% vs. 50.7% at 5 years, P < 0.001). Patients who underwent VR with a negative RM failed to show a better OS than those who did not undergo VR with a positive RM (19.7% vs. 35.7% at 5 years, P = 0.178). Of the 30 patients who were suspected of having vascular invasion on MDCT, 11 did not receive VR because the vessels were freed from the tumor; these patients had a significantly better OS (57.9% at 5 years) than those who underwent VR.

CONCLUSIONS

VR for DCC was associated with a poor prognosis, even if a negative RM was obtained. VR is not necessary for DCC when the vessels are detachable from the tumor.

Converted-hepatopancreatoduodenectomy for an intraoperative positive ductal margin after pancreatoduodenectomy in distal cholangiocarcinoma

PURPOSE

Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) is the standard treatment for distal cholangiocarcinoma, and a negative ductal margin (DM0) is indispensable for the long-term survival. When intraoperative frozen sections of ductal margin after PD are positive, converted-hepatopancreatoduodenectomy (C-HPD) is the final option available to gain an additional ductal margin. However, the efficacy of C-HPD remains unclear.

METHODS

Patients who underwent PD or C-HPD for distal cholangiocarcinoma between 2002 and 2019 were analyzed. The type of hepatectomy in C-HPD was restricted to left hepatectomy to prevent posthepatectomy liver failure.

RESULTS

Of 203 patients who underwent PD for distal cholangiocarcinoma, 49 patients exhibited intraoperative positive ductal margin (DM1) after PD. Eleven patients underwent C-HPD for intraoperative DM1 after PD, in which intraoperative DM1 with invasive carcinoma (DM1inv) was observed in 3 patients, and intraoperative DM1 with carcinoma in situ (DM1cis) was observed in 8 patients. The median additional ductal margin yielded by C-HPD was 9 mm (interquartile range 7-13 mm). C-HPD eradicated intraoperative DM1inv in 3 patients, with 2 patients showing DM0 and 1 patient showing DM1cis. Regarding 8 patients who underwent C-HPD for intraoperative DM1cis, 4 patients had DM0, but the others had DM1cis. C-HPD was associated with a high complication rate, but no mortality was observed. The median survival time of patients who underwent C-HPD was 48.8 months.

CONCLUSION

C-HPD was able to safely eradicate intraoperative DM1inv after PD. However, the length of the resected bile duct according to C-HPD may not be sufficient to remove intraoperative DM1cis after PD.

Surgical outcomes and prognostic factors of distal common bile duct adenocarcinoma: chronological analysis in a single high-volume institutional experience

Background

Distal common bile duct (dCBD) cancer is typical indication for pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). We aimed to retrospectively evaluate surgical outcomes and investigate prognostic factors of dCBD adenocarcinoma for which PD was performed at a single institution.

Methods

We searched consecutive cases of dCBD adenocarcinoma undergone PD at Samsung Medical Center from 1995 to 2018. Cases with distant metastasis or palliative intent were excluded. The year in which the survival rate was dramatically improved was identified and entire years were divided into two periods for comparison. To balance between the two periods, we conducted propensity score matching (PSM) analysis using age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and American Society of Anesthesiologist score.

Results

Total of 804 cases were enrolled in this study. The entire period was divided into early period of 18 years and recent period of 6 years. The early and late period included 466 and 338 patients, respectively. As a result of PSM, balanced 316 patients were selected from each of the two periods. Significant improvements in surgical outcomes were identified, including shorter operation time, fewer blood loss, shorter hospitalization, and favorable overall survival. As results of multivariable analysis of independent risk factors for overall survival, older age and advanced N stage were identified, as expected. It was distinct that aggressive surgery and advanced tumor state in the early period and a lower BMI in the late period negatively affected the survival, respectively.

Conclusions

Surgical outcomes of dCBD cancer underwent PD was improved. There were few modifiable factors to improve survival and continuous further study is needed to detect dCBD cancer in the early stages.

Significance of dysplasia in bile duct resection margin in patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: A retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

Radical resection is the only indicator associated with survival in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (EHCC). However, limited data are available regarding the implications of dysplasia at the resection margin following surgery.

AIM

To evaluate the prognostic significance of dysplasia-positive margins in patients diagnosed with EHCC.

METHODS

We reviewed the records of patients who had undergone surgery for EHCC with curative intent between January 2013 and July 2017. We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological data of 116 patients followed for longer than 3 years. The status of resection margin was used to classify patients into negative low-grade dysplasia (LGD) and high-grade dysplasia (HGD)/carcinoma in situ (CIS) categories.

RESULTS

Based on postoperative status, 72 patients underwent resection with negative margins, 19 had LGD-positive margins, and 25 showed HGD/CIS-positive margins. The mean survival rates of the patients with negative margins, LGD margins, and HGD/CIS margins were 49.1 ± 4.5, 47.3 ± 6.0, and 20.8 ± 4.4 mo, respectively (P < 0.001). No difference in survival was found between groups with LGD margins and negative margins (P = 0.56). In the multivariate analysis, age > 70 years and HGD/CIS-positive margins were significant independent factors for survival (hazard ratio = 1.90 and 2.47, respectively).

CONCLUSION

HGD/CIS margin in resected EHCC is associated with a poor survival. However, the LGD-positive resection margin is not a significant indicator of survival in patients with EHCC.

A novel method for predicting perineural invasion of distal cholangiocarcinoma on multidetector-row computed tomography

PURPOSE

Excessive perineural invasion (PNI) is associated with a high risk of radial margin (RM) positivity and a poor prognosis for patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC). This study evaluates a new method of predicting the extent of PNI preoperatively.

METHODS

The subjects of this retrospective study were 201 patients who underwent resection for DCC between 2002 and 2018. This study identified the 'periductal enation sign' (PES), defined as the surrounding soft tissue enhancement that appears as an enation from the circumference of the enhanced extrahepatic bile duct on multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) scans, as a predictor of PNI. We analyzed the outcomes of the patients in relation to the presence or absence of the PES on MDCT scans.

RESULTS

The PES in the PNI-positive group was significantly longer than that in the PNI-negative group. As the length of the PES extended, the grade of PNI increased. A positive PES was defined as a PES length of ≥ 2.0 mm. Patients with a positive PES were more frequently positive for RM (23.7% vs. 2.1%) and locoregional recurrence (23.7% vs. 6.3%) and exhibited significantly poorer overall survival than those with a negative PES (30.2% vs. 54.6% at 5 years).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence and extent of PNI can be predicted easily and effectively by the PES length. A positive PES was associated with poor local controllability and a poor prognosis.

Prospective Evaluation of Resection Margins Using Standardized Specimen Protocol Analysis among Patients with Distal Cholangiocarcinoma and Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE

Using a standardized specimen protocol analysis, this study aimed to evaluate the resection margin status of patients who underwent resection for either distal cholangiocarcinoma (DC) or pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This allowed a precise millimetric analysis of each inked margin.

METHODS

From 2010 to 2018, 355 consecutively inked specimens from patients with PDAC (n = 288) or DC (n = 67) were prospectively assessed. We assessed relationships between the tumor and the following margins: transection of the pancreatic neck, bile duct, posterior surface, margin toward superior mesenteric artery, and the surface of superior mesenteric vein/portal vein groove. Resection margins were evaluated using a predefined cut-off value of 1 mm; however, clearances of 0 and 1.5 mm were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Patients with DC were mostly men (64% vs. 49%, p = 0.028), of older age (68 yo vs. 65, p = 0.033), required biliary stenting more frequently (93% vs. 77%, p < 0.01), and received less neoadjuvant treatment (p < 0.001) than patients with PDAC. The venous resection rate was higher among patients with PDAC (p = 0.028). Postoperative and 90-day mortality rates were comparable. Patients with PDAC had greater tumor size (28.6 vs. 24 mm, p = 0.01) than those with DC. The R1 resection rate was comparable between the two groups, regardless of the clearance margin. Among the three types of resection margins, a venous groove was the most frequent in both entities. In multivariate analysis, the R1 resection margin did not influence patient survival in either PDAC or DC.

CONCLUSION

Our standardized specimen protocol analysis showed that the R1 resection rate was comparable in PDAC and DC.

The Impact of Intraoperative Frozen Section on Resection Margin Status and Survival of Patients Underwent Pancreatoduodenectomy for Distal Cholangiocarcinoma

Background

Intraoperative frozen section (FS) is broadly used during pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) to ensure a negative margin status, but its survival benefits on obtaining a secondary R0 resection for distal cholangiocarcinoma (dCCA) is controversial and unclear.

Methods

Clinical data of 107 patients who underwent PD for dCCA was retrospectively collected and divided into different groups based on use of FS (FS and non-FS groups) and status of resection margin (pR0, sR0 and R1 groups), and clinical parameters and survival of patients were compared and analyzed accordingly.

Results

There were 50 patients in FS group with a median survival of 28 months, 57 patients in non-FS group with a median survival of 27 months. There was no statistical difference between the two groups with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (P = 0.347). There were 98 patients in R0 group (88 in pR0 and 10 in sR0) and nine patients in R1 group, with a median survival of 29 months and 22 months respectively, which showed a better survival in R0 group than in R1 group (P = 0.006). Survival analyses between subgroups revealed difference between pR0 and R1 group (P = 0.005), while no statistical difference concerning pR0 vs. sR0 (P = 0.211) and sR0 vs. R1 groups (P = 0.262). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed resection margin status, pre-operative biliary drainage and lymph node invasion to be independent prognostic factors for dCCA patients.

Conclusions

Intraoperative FS should be recommended as it significantly increased the rate of R0 resection, which was positively related to a better survival. A primary R0 resection should also be encouraged and if not, a secondary R0 could be considered at the discretion of surgeons as it showed similar survival with primary R0 resection.

Negative prognostic outcomes of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in distal cholangiocarcinoma: a retrospective analysis using propensity score matching

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of different types of preoperative biliary drainage for cholangiocarcinoma has been debated over the past two decades. Controversy concerning the use of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) versus endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) still exists. This study aimed to compare the long-term outcomes between PTBD and EBD in patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma.

METHODS

Data of patients diagnosed with distal cholangiocarcinoma who underwent preoperative PTBD or EBD from January 1999 to December 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. Post-surgical outcomes, including the incidence of post-operative complications, peritoneal metastasis, disease-free survival, and overall survival, were analyzed. Survival analyses were also performed after propensity score matching in the PTBD and EBD groups.

RESULTS

The incidence of post-operative complications was similar in both groups. The 5-year estimated cumulative incidences for peritoneal metastasis were 14.7% and 7.2% in the PTBD and EBD groups, respectively (p = 0.192). The 5-year disease-free survival rates were 23.7% and 47.3% in the PTBD and EBD groups, respectively (p = 0.015). In the multi-variate analysis for overall survival, PTBD was an independent poor prognostic factor. The 5-year overall survival rates were 35.9% and 56.3% in the PTBD and EBD groups, respectively (hazard ratio 1.85, confidence interval 1.05-3.26, p = 0.035). The results after propensity score matching indicated a poorer prognosis in the PTBD group, with a 5-year survival rate of 35.9% in the PTBD group vs 56.0% in the EBD group (p = 0.044).

CONCLUSION

PTBD should be considered as a negative prognostic factor in distal cholangiocarcinoma patients.

Impact of Remnant Carcinoma in Situ at the Ductal Stump on Long-Term Outcomes in Patients with Distal Cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The management of positive ductal margins with carcinoma in situ (R1-CIS) after resection is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of R1-CIS on survival in patients who underwent resection for distal cholangiocarcinoma.

METHODS

We enrolled 121 consecutive patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma. Poor prognostic factors were investigated by multivariable analysis, and we performed a stratified analysis to evaluate the impact of R1-CIS on survival in patients with or without prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Multivariable analysis identified node-positive status as the prognostic factor (P = 0.003). Stratified by lymph node status, overall survival (OS) in the R0 group was significantly better than that in the R1-CIS group in node-negative patients (57.1% vs 30.0%; P < 0.050). Although OS was comparable between the two groups in node-positive patients (5-year OS: 22.2% vs 20.0%, respectively; P = not significant). Furthermore, OS in patients in whom R0 was achieved by additional resection was significantly better than that in patients with R1-CIS (5-year OS: 66.7% vs 30.0%, respectively; P < 0.050).

CONCLUSIONS

Remnant CIS is associated with a poor prognosis in patients with node-negative distal cholangiocarcinoma. Every effort should be made to achieve negative bile duct margins.

Margin-Positive Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma during Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Additional Resection Does Not Improve Survival

BACKGROUND

The impact of resecting positive margins during pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) remains debated. Additionally, the survival benefit of resecting multiple positive margins is unknown.

METHODS

We identified patients with PDA who underwent PD from 2006 to 2015. Pancreatic neck, bile duct, and uncinate frozen section margins were assessed before and after resection of positive margins. Survival curves were compared with log-rank tests. Multivariable Cox regression assessed the effect of margin status on overall survival.

RESULTS

Of 501 patients identified, 17.3%, 5.3%, and 19.7% had an initially positive uncinate, bile duct, or neck margin, respectively. Among initially positive bile duct and neck margins, 77.8% and 67.0% were resected, respectively. Although median survival was decreased among patients with any positive margins (15.6 vs. 20.9 months; p = 0.006), it was similar among patients with positive bile duct or neck margins with or without R1 to R0 resection (17.0 vs. 15.6 months; p = 0.20). Median survival with and without positive uncinate margins was 13.8 vs. 19.7 months (p = 0.04). Uncinate margins were never resected. Resection of additional margins when the uncinate was concurrently positive was not associated with improved survival (p = 0.37). Patients with positive margins who received adjuvant therapy had improved survival, regardless of margin resection (p = 0.03). Adjuvant therapy was independently protective against death (hazard ratio 0.6, 95% CI 0.5-0.7).

CONCLUSIONS

Positive PD margins at any position are associated with reduced overall survival; however, resection of additional margins may not improve survival, particularly with concurrently positive uncinate margins. Adjuvant chemotherapy improves survival with positive margins, regardless of resection.

Practical review for diagnosis and clinical management of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCC) is the most aggressive malignant tumor of the biliary tract. Perihilar CCC (pCCC) is the most common CCC and is burdened by a complicated diagnostic iter and its anatomical location makes surgical approach burden by poor results. Besides its clinical presentation, a multimodal diagnostic approach should be carried on by a tertiary specialized center to avoid miss-diagnosis. Preoperative staging must consider the extent of liver resection to avoid post-surgical hepatic failure. During staging iter, magnetic resonance can obtain satisfactory cholangiographic images, while invasive techniques should be used if bile duct samples are needed. Consistently, to improve diagnostic potential, bile duct drainage is not necessary in jaundice, while it is indicated in refractory cholangitis or when liver hypertrophy is needed. Once resecability criteria are identified, the extent of liver resection is secondary to the longitudinal spread of CCC. While in the past type IV pCCC was not considered resectable, some authors reported good results after their treatment. Conversely, in selected unresectable cases, liver transplantation could be a valuable option. Adjuvant chemotherapy is the standard of care for resected patients, while neoadjuvant approach has growing evidences. If curative resection is not achieved, radiotherapy can be added to chemotherapy. This multistep curative iter must be carried on in specialized centers. Hence, the aim of this review is to highlight the main steps and pitfalls of the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to pCCC with a peculiar attention to type IV pCCC.

Does additional resection of a positive microscopic ductal margin benefit patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

The incidence of a positive microscopic ductal margin (R1) after surgical resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) remains high, but the beneficial of additional resection has not been confirmed by any meta-analysis and randomized clinical trials (RCT), which also increased the risk of morbidity and mortality. Hence, a systematic review is warranted to evaluate the clinical value of additional resection of intraoperative R1 for pCCA.

Methods

Eligible studies were searched by PubMed, MedLine, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, from Jan.1^st 2000 to Nov.30^th 2019, evaluating the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates of additional resection of intraoperative pathologic R1 for pCCA. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to determine the effect size by a randomized-effect model.

Results

Eight studies were enrolled in this meta-analysis, including 179 patients in the secondary R0 group, 843 patients in the primary R0 group and 253 patients in the R1 group. The pooled OR for the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rate between secondary R0 group and primary R0 group were 1.03(95%CI 0.64~1.67, P = 0.90), 0.92(95%CI 0.52~1.64, P = 0.78), and 0.83(95%CI 0.37~1.84, P = 0.65), respectively. The pooled OR for the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rate between secondary R0 group and R1 group were 2.14(95%CI 1.31~3.50, P = 0.002), 2.58(95%CI 1.28~5.21, P = 0.008), and 3.54(95%CI 1.67~7.50, P = 0.001), respectively. However, subgroup analysis of the West showed that the pooled OR for the 1-, and 3-year OS rate between secondary R0 group and R1 group were 2.05(95%CI 0.95~4.41, P = 0.07), 1.91(95%CI 0.96~3.81, P = 0.07), respectively.

Conclusion

With the current data, additional resection should be recommended in selected patients with intraoperative R1, but the conclusion is needed further validation.

Does high-grade dysplasia/carcinoma in situ of the biliary duct margin affect the prognosis of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma? A meta-analysis

Background

High-grade dysplasia/carcinoma in situ (HGD/CIS) of the biliary duct margin was found to not affect the prognosis of patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma by recent studies, but it has not yet reached a conclusion.

Methods

Eligible studies were searched by PubMed, PMC, MedLine, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, from Jan. 1, 2000 to Jun. 30, 2019, investigating the influences of surgical margin status of biliary duct on the prognosis of patients with resectable extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Overall survival (OS) and local recurrence were evaluated by odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

A total of 11 studies were enrolled in this meta-analysis, including 1734 patients in the R0 group, 194 patients in the HGD/CIS group, and 229 patients in the invasive carcinoma (INV) group. The pooled OR for the 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rate between HGD/CIS group and R0 group was 0.98 (95% CI 0.65~1.50), 1.01 (95% CI 0.73~1.41), and 0.98 (95% CI 0.72~1.34), respectively. The pooled OR for the 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rate between HGD/CIS group and INV group was 1.83 (95% CI 1.09~3.06), 4.52 (95% CI 2.20~9.26), and 3.74 (95% CI 2.34~5.96), respectively. Subgroup analysis of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma at early stage showed that the pooled OR for the 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rate between HGD/CIS group and R0 group was 0.54 (95% CI 0.21~1.36), 0.75 (95% CI 0.35~1.58), and 0.74 (95% CI 0.40~1.37), respectively, and the pooled OR for the 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rate between HGD/CIS group and INV group was 3.47 (95% CI 1.09~11.02), 9.12 (95% CI 2.98~27.93), and 9.17 (95% CI 2.95~28.55), respectively. However, the pooled OR for the incidence of local recurrence between HGD/CIS group and R0 group was 3.54 (95% CI 1.66~7.53), and the pooled OR for the incidence of local recurrence between HGD/CIS group and INV group was 0.93 (95% CI 0.50~1.74).

Conclusion

With the current data, we concluded that HGD/CIS would increase the risk of local recurrence compared with R0, although it did not affect the prognosis of patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma regardless of TNM stage. However, the conclusion needs to be furtherly confirmed.

Cholangiocarcinoma: a site-specific update on the current state of surgical management and multi-modality therapy

Biliary tract cancers (BTC) are rare, heterogeneous malignancies that include cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer (GBC). Cholangiocarcinoma subtypes differ by anatomic location and molecular profile. Currently, resection with lymphadenectomy is the only curative treatment of locally advanced cholangiocarcinoma. Given the high risk of recurrence, multi-modality therapy spanning surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy should be considered. Current data is discordant and there is limited prospective data to support an optimal treatment regimen, though recent studies have demonstrated the utility of adjuvant chemotherapy and chemoradiation in specific settings and patient populations. There is a potential role for neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with resectable disease or chemoradiation in select patients with unresectable, locally advanced disease. Randomized clinical trials are necessary to establish the effectiveness of therapies specific to disease sites, especially with the emerging role of immunotherapy and targeted therapy to actionable mutations.