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Vij M, Veerankutty FH, Rammohan A, Rela M. Combined hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma: A clinicopathological update. World J Hepatol 2024; 16:766-775. [PMID: 38818284 PMCID: PMC11135265 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v16.i5.766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CCA) is a rare primary liver cancer associated with an appalling prognosis. The diagnosis and management of this entity have been challenging to physicians, radiologists, surgeons, pathologists, and oncologists alike. The diagnostic and prognostic value of biomarkers such as the immunohistochemical expression of nestin, a progenitor cell marker, have been explored recently. With a better understanding of biology and the clinical course of cHCC-CCA, newer treatment modalities like immune checkpoint inhibitors are being tried to improve the survival of patients with this rare disease. In this review, we give an account of the recent developments in the pathology, diagnostic approach, and management of cHCC-CCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukul Vij
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Liver Disease and Transplantation, Chennai 600044, India
| | - Fadl H Veerankutty
- Comprehensive Liver Care Institute, VPS Lakeshore, Cochin 682040, India
- Institute of Liver Disease and Transplantation, Dr. Rela Institute and Medical Centre, Chennai 600044, India.
| | - Ashwin Rammohan
- Institute of Liver Disease and Transplantation, Dr. Rela Institute and Medical Centre, Chennai 600044, India
| | - Mohamed Rela
- Institute of Liver Disease and Transplantation, Dr. Rela Institute and Medical Centre, Chennai 600044, India
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Goodwin B, Lou J, Butchy M, Wilson T, Atabek U, Spitz F, Hong Y. Hepatocellular-Cholangiocarcinoma Collision Tumors: An Update of Current Management Practices. Am Surg 2023; 89:2685-2692. [PMID: 36031932 DOI: 10.1177/00031348221124323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CC) is a rare form of primary hepatic collision tumor, with an incidence ranging from 0.4 to 14.2%. Given the diagnostic challenges and lack of randomized trials, standardized treatment has yet to be established. We aim to review the literature to summarize the diagnosis, molecular characteristics, current treatment modalities, and challenges for cHCC-CC. A literature review was performed using PubMed. We included studies investigating and describing cHCC-CC, focusing on surgical, medical, and radiologic treatments. Overall prognosis is poor, with a 5-year survival rate under 30%. Minor or major hepatectomy with R0 resection is the only curative treatment; however, recurrence is likely (as high as 50% within 5 years). The role of liver transplantation is also highly debated given the biliary nature of these tumors, with cHCC-CC as a relative contraindication for liver transplantation. Although gemcitabine-based treatments had higher progression-free survival over sorafenib, there is no standard chemotherapy regimen. Treatment with gemcitabine and platinum demonstrates improved disease control rates compared to gemcitabine in conjunction with 5-fluorouracil (78.4% verse 38.5% respectively). Additionally, platinum-containing chemotherapy regimens exhibit a higher overall response rate than non-platinum regimens (21.4% verse 7.0% respectively). These molecular-directed therapies have prolonged survival for HCC, but further investigation needs to be done to assess their utility in patients with cHCC-CC. cHCC-CC is a rare and complex subset of primary hepatic neoplasms with a dismal prognosis and unstandardized treatment options. Further trials need to be performed to investigate systemic chemotherapy and immunotherapy options for patients with unresectable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Goodwin
- Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ, USA
| | | | | | - Traeden Wilson
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USA
| | | | | | - Young Hong
- Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ, USA
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Eschrich J, Kobus Z, Geisel D, Halskov S, Roßner F, Roderburg C, Mohr R, Tacke F. The Diagnostic Approach towards Combined Hepatocellular-Cholangiocarcinoma-State of the Art and Future Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15010301. [PMID: 36612297 PMCID: PMC9818385 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CCA) is a rare primary liver cancer which displays clinicopathologic features of both hepatocellular (HCC) and cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCA). The similarity to HCC and CCA makes the diagnostic workup particularly challenging. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) are blood tumour markers related with HCC and CCA, respectively. They can be used as diagnostic markers in cHCC-CCA as well, albeit with low sensitivity. The imaging features of cHCC-CCA overlap with those of HCC and CCA, dependent on the predominant histopathological component. Using the Liver Imaging and Reporting Data System (LI-RADS), as many as half of cHCC-CCAs may be falsely categorised as HCC. This is especially relevant since the diagnosis of HCC may be made without histopathological confirmation in certain cases. Thus, in instances of diagnostic uncertainty (e.g., simultaneous radiological HCC and CCA features, elevation of CA 19-9 and AFP, HCC imaging features and elevated CA 19-9, and vice versa) multiple image-guided core needle biopsies should be performed and analysed by an experienced pathologist. Recent advances in the molecular characterisation of cHCC-CCA, innovative diagnostic approaches (e.g., liquid biopsies) and methods to analyse multiple data points (e.g., clinical, radiological, laboratory, molecular, histopathological features) in an all-encompassing way (e.g., by using artificial intelligence) might help to address some of the existing diagnostic challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Eschrich
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Campus Virchow Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Zuzanna Kobus
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Campus Virchow Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dominik Geisel
- Department for Radiology, Campus Virchow Klinikum, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Halskov
- Department for Radiology, Campus Virchow Klinikum, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Florian Roßner
- Department of Pathology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Roderburg
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Raphael Mohr
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Campus Virchow Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Campus Virchow Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
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Combined Hepatocellular-Cholangiocarcinoma: An Update on Pathology and Diagnostic Approach. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081826. [PMID: 36009374 PMCID: PMC9405224 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CCA) is a rare primary liver carcinoma displaying both hepatocytic and cholangiocytic differentiation within the same tumor. Relative to classic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cHCC-CCA has more aggressive behavior and a poorer prognosis. Though recent advances have improved our understanding of the biology underlying cHCC-CCAs, they remain diagnostically challenging for pathologists because of their morphologic and phenotypic diversity. Accurate diagnosis of cHCC-CCA is important for patient management and prognostication. Herein, we review recent updates on cHCC-CCA, focusing on tumor classification, pathology, and diagnostic approach.
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Renzulli M, Ramai D, Singh J, Sinha S, Brandi N, Ierardi AM, Albertini E, Sacco R, Facciorusso A, Golfieri R. Locoregional Treatments in Cholangiocarcinoma and Combined Hepatocellular Cholangiocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3336. [PMID: 34283065 PMCID: PMC8268054 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a primary and aggressive cancer of the biliary tree. Combined hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma (CHC) is a distinctive primary liver malignancy which has properties of both hepatocytic and cholangiocytic differentiation. CHC appears to have a worse prognosis compared to hepatocellular carcinoma, and similar to that of intrahepatic CCA. While significant advances have been made in understanding the pathophysiology and treatment of these two tumor types, their prognosis remains poor. Currently, liver resection is the primary treatment modality; however, only a minority of patients are eligible for surgery. However, the use of locoregional therapies proves an alternative approach to treating locally advanced disease with the aim of converting to resectability or even transplantation. Locoregional therapies such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and photodynamic therapy (PDT) can provide patients with tumor control and increase the chances of survival. In this review, we appraise the evidence surrounding the use of locoregional therapies in treating patients with CCA and CHC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Renzulli
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (N.B.); (R.G.)
| | - Daryl Ramai
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Brooklyn, New York, NY 11201, USA; (D.R.); (S.S.)
| | - Jameel Singh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mather Hospital, Northwell Health, Port Jefferson, New York, NY 11777, USA;
| | - Samridhi Sinha
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Brooklyn, New York, NY 11201, USA; (D.R.); (S.S.)
| | - Nicolò Brandi
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (N.B.); (R.G.)
| | - Anna Maria Ierardi
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, San Paolo Hospital, 20142 Milan, Italy;
| | - Elisa Albertini
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Rodolfo Sacco
- Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (R.S.); (A.F.)
| | - Antonio Facciorusso
- Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (R.S.); (A.F.)
| | - Rita Golfieri
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (N.B.); (R.G.)
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