ERCP and stent therapy for progressive jaundice in hepatocellular carcinoma: which patients benefit, which patients don't?

Machine learning-based nomogram for 30-day mortality prediction for patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction after ERCP with metal stent: a retrospective observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for 30-day mortality in patients with malignant biliary obstruction (MBO) after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with endobiliary metal stent placement. Furthermore, we aimed to construct and visualize a prediction model based on LASSO-logistic regression.

METHODS

Data were collected from 245 patients who underwent their first ERCP with endobiliary metal stent placement for unresectable MBO between June 1, 2013, and August 31, 2021. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the risk factors for 30-day mortality. We subsequently developed a logistic regression model that incorporated multiple parameters identified by LASSO regression. The model was visualized and the nomogram was plotted. Risk stratification was performed based on nomogram-derived scores.

RESULTS

The 30-day mortality rate was 10.7% (23/245 patients). Distant metastasis, total bilirubin, post-ERCP complications, and successful drainage were independent risk factors of 30-day mortality. The variables screened by LASSO regression, including distant metastasis, total bilirubin, post-ERCP complications, and successful drainage, were incorporated into the logistic model. The results were visualized through a nomogram based on the model. To assess the model's performance, discrimination was evaluated using the area-under-the-curve values obtained from receiver operating characteristic analyses with 10-fold cross-validation in the training group and validated in the testing group. The calibration curve showed the good predictive ability of the model. Decision curve analysis is used to evaluate the clinical application of nomogram. Finally, we performed risk stratification based on the risk calculated using the nomogram. Patients were assigned to the low-, moderate-, and high-risk groups based on their probability scores. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves for the different nomogram-based groups were significantly different (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

We developed a nomogram using the LASSO-logistic regression model to forecast the 30-day mortality rate in patients who had undergone ERCP with endobiliary metal stent placement due to MBO. This nomogram can assist in identifying individuals at high-risk of 30-day mortality following ERCP.

Development and validation of a 90-day mortality prediction model following endobiliary drainage in patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction

Background

Palliative endobiliary drainage is the mainstay treatment for unresectable malignant biliary obstruction (MBO). Despite optimal drainage, the survival benefit is arguable. This study aimed to identify factors predicting post-endoscopic drainage mortality and develop and validate a mortality prediction model.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data for 451 patients with unresectable pancreatobiliary cancers undergoing first endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-guided endobiliary stent placement between 2007 and 2017. We randomly assigned patients in a 3:1 fashion into a derivation cohort (n=339) and validation cohort (n=112). Predictors for 90-day mortality post-stenting were identified from the derivation cohort. A prediction model was subsequently developed and verified with the validation cohort.

Results

The overall 90-day mortality rate of the derivation cohort was 46.9%, and the mean age was 64.2 years. The 2 most common diagnoses were cholangiocarcinoma (53.4%) and pancreatic cancer (35.4%). In all, 34.2% had liver metastasis. The median total bilirubin (TB) level was 19.2 mg/dL, and the mean serum albumin was 3.2 g/dL. A metallic stent was used for 64.6% of the patients, and the median stent patency time was 63 days. A total of 70.8% had TB improvement of more than 50% within 2 weeks after stenting, and 14.5% were eligible for chemotherapy. Intrahepatic obstruction (OR=5.69; P=0.023), stage IV cancer (OR=3.01; P=0.001), pre-endoscopic serum albumin (OR=0.48; P=0.001), TB improvement within 2 weeks after stenting (OR=0.57; P=0.036), and chemotherapy after ERCP (OR=0.11; P&lt;0.001) were associated with 90-day mortality after stenting. The prediction model was developed to identify the risk of death within 90 days post-stent placement. The AUROC was 0.76 and 0.75 in derivation and validation cohorts. Patients with a score ≥ 1.40 had a high likelihood of death, whereas those scoring &lt; -1.50 had a low likelihood of death. Additionally, a score ≥ 0.58 provided a 75.2% probability of death, which highlights the usability of the model.

Conclusions

This study proposes a useful validated prediction model to forecast the 90-day mortality of unresectable MBO patients after stenting. The model permits physicians to stratify the death risk and may be helpful to provide a proper palliative strategy.

Development and validation of a risk score for predicting clinical success after endobiliary stenting for malignant biliary obstruction

Background

Endoscopic drainage is the primary treatment for unresectable malignant biliary obstruction (MBO). This study developed and validated a pre-endoscopic predictive score for clinical success after stent placement.

Methods

Patients with unresectable MBO undergoing ERCP-guided endobiliary stent placement between 2007 and 2017 were randomly divided into derivation (n = 383) and validation (n = 128) cohorts. To develop the risk score, clinical parameters were built by logistic regression to predict (1) ≥ 50% total bilirubin (TB) resolution within 2 weeks and (2) bilirubin normalization (TB level <1.2 mg/dL) within 6 weeks following stenting. The scoring scheme was applied to the validation cohort to test its performance.

Results

A ≥ 50% TB resolution within 2 weeks was shown in 70.5% of cases. The risk scoring scheme had areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.70 (95% CI, 0.64–0.76) and 0.67 (95% CI, 0.57–0.77) in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. Thirty-one percent had TB normalization within 6 weeks after stenting. Significant predictors for TB normalization were extrahepatic biliary obstruction (odds ratio [OR] = 2.35), pre-endoscopic TB level (OR = 0.88), and stent type (OR = 0.42). The AUROC of a risk score for predicting TB normalization within 6 weeks was 0.78 (95% CI, 0.72–0.83) and 0.76 (95% CI, 0.67–0.86) in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. A score > 1.30 yielded a specificity of 98% and a positive predictive value of 84% for predicting TB normalization. A score of < -4.18 provided a sensitivity of 80%–90% and a negative predictive value of 90%–93% for predicting the absence of TB normalization.

Conclusions

The pre-endoscopic scoring system comprising biliary obstruction level, liver biochemistry, and type of stent provides prediction indices for TB normalization within 6 weeks after stenting. This scheme may help endoscopists identify patients with unresectable MBO suited for palliative stenting.

Effectiveness, safety, and factors associated with the clinical success of endoscopic biliary drainage for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective multicenter study

Background

Only a few reports have assessed the effectiveness of endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with obstructive jaundice and liver dysfunction.

Methods

This was a retrospective study based on the clinical databases from the Okayama University Hospital and 10 affiliated hospitals. All patients received EBD for jaundice or liver dysfunction. The indication for EBD was aggravation of jaundice or liver dysfunction with intrahepatic bile duct (IHBD) dilation. The technical and clinical success rate, complications, factors associated with clinical failure, and survival duration were evaluated.

Results

A total of 107 patients were enrolled in this study. Technical success was achieved in 105 of 107 patients (98.1%). Clinical success was achieved in 85 of 105 patients (81%). Complications related to endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) occurred in 3 (2.8%) patients. Child–Pugh class C (odds ratio 3.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.47–10.4, p = 0.0046) was the only factor associated with clinical failure, irrespective of successful drainage. The median survival duration was significantly longer in patients with clinical success than in those without clinical success (5.0 months vs. 0.93 months; hazard ratio [HR] 3.2, 95% CI 1.87–5.37). HCC Stage I/II/III (HR 0.57, CI 0.34–0.95, p = 0.032), absence of portal thrombosis (HR 0.52, CI 0.32–0.85, p = 0.0099), and clinical success (HR 0.39, CI 0.21–0.70, p = 0.0018) were significant factors associated with a long survival.

Conclusions

EBD for obstructive jaundice and liver dysfunction in patients with HCC can be performed safely with a high technical success rate. Clinical success can improve the survival duration, even in patients expected to have a poor prognosis.

Trial registration

Retrospectively registered.

Utility of endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopy in diagnosis and management of hepatocellular carcinoma and its complications: What does endoscopic ultrasonography offer above and beyond conventional cross-sectional imaging?

Hepatocellular carcinoma constitutes over 90% of the primary liver tumors, the rest being cholangiocarcinoma. It has an insidious presentation, which is responsible for the delayed presentation. Hence, the management strategy relies on screening to diagnose it an early stage for curative resection and/or treatment with local ablative techniques or chemotherapy. However, even with different screening programs, more than 60% of tumors are still detected at an advanced stage, leading to an unchanged mortality rate, thereby implying a room for improvement in the screening and diagnostic process. In the last few years, there has been evolution of utility of endoscopy, specifically endoscopic ultrasonography along with Fine needle aspiration, for this purpose, which we comprehensively review in this article.

Role of endoscopic biliary drainage in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with jaundice

Background

Patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with jaundice have an extremely poor prognosis. Although biliary drainage can resolve obstructive jaundice, signs of obstruction may not be evident. This study evaluated the role of endoscopic biliary drainage in patients with advanced HCC and obstructive jaundice.

Methods

From 2010 to 2015, 74 patients underwent endoscopic biliary drainage for obstructive jaundice due to advanced HCC. Jaundice resolution was defined as complete response and total bilirubin concentration below 3 mg/dl.

Results

The technical success rate in the 74 patients was 92.1% (70/76). Of the 70 patients who underwent successful biliary drainage, 48 (68.6%) and 22 (31.4%) were Child-Pugh classes B and C, respectively, and 10 (14.3%) and 60 (85.7%) were BCLC stages B and C, respectively. Intrahepatic bile duct (IHD) dilatation was observed in 35 patients (50%). After drainage, the complete response rate was 35.7% (25/70). The mean time to resolution was 17.4 ±8.5 days. However, jaundice was re-aggravated in 74.3% (15/25) after a mean 103.5 ±96.4 days. Multivariate analysis showed that the absence of ascites, presence of IHD dilatation, normal range of prothrombin time, and lower MELD score were significantly associated with complete response. The overall survival rate was 15.7% (11/70) and the median survival time is 28 days (95% confidence interval 2.6–563 days). Complete response and HCC treatment after drainage were significantly associated with survival.

Conclusion

Effective endoscopic biliary drainage is an important palliative treatment in patients with advanced HCC and obstructive jaundice, especially those with IHD dilatation and preserved liver function, as determined by ascites, prothrombin time, and MELD score.

Latin American Association for the Study of the Liver (LAASL) clinical practice guidelines: management of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer in the world and the third most common cause of cancer death, and accounts for 5.6% of all cancers. Nearly 82% of the approximately 550,000 liver cancer deaths each year occur in Asia. In some regions, cancer-related death from HCC is second only to lung cancer. The incidence and mortality of HCC are increasing in America countries as a result of an ageing cohort infected with chronic hepatitis C, and are expected to continue to rise as a consequence of the obesity epidemic. Clinical care and survival for patients with HCC has advanced considerably during the last two decades, thanks to improvements in patient stratification, an enhanced understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease, and because of developments in diagnostic procedures and the introduction of novel therapies and strategies in prevention. Nevertheless, HCC remains the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. These LAASL recommendations on treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma are intended to assist physicians and other healthcare providers, as well as patients and other interested individuals, in the clinical decision-making process by describing the optimal management of patients with liver cancer.

Clinical usefulness of endoscopic palliation in patients with biliary obstruction caused by hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS

To evaluate the clinical usefulness of endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

A total of 111 jaundiced patients underwent attempted EBD for relief of HCC-related biliary stricture at our hospital over a 5-year period and all were included in the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis.

RESULTS

After an endoscopic attempt at drainage, 46 (41.4%) of the 111 patients achieved a favorable response. Biliary cannulation failed in 5 patients. Child-Pugh class C, portal vein thrombosis and severe hyperbilirubinemia were negatively correlated with a favorable EBD response. In the ITT population, 40 (87.0%) of the favorable responders received further treatment for HCC, >2 (3.1%) of the unfavorable responders (p < 0.001). The median survival time for ITT patients with and without a favorable response to EBD was 8.7 and 1.3 months, respectively (p < 0.001). Cox's model showed that a favorable EBD response was an independent predictor of longer survival (hazard ratio 0.20, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

For HCC patients with tumor-related biliary obstruction, predictors of effective endoscopic palliation of cholestasis were relatively mild hyperbilirubinemia and preserved liver function and intact portal vein flow. A favorable EBD response was associated with longer survival outcomes.

Palliative treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma with obstructive jaundice using biliary drainage with subsequent transarterial chemoembolization

BACKGROUND

Nonsurgical biliary drainage is considered as a priority for obstructive jaundice associated with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Successful drainage allows the patient to receive antitumor therapy, such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). However, only limited data are available on clinical outcomes in patients who treated biliary drainage with subsequent TACE.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the clinical outcome of biliary drainage with subsequent TACE in unresectable HCC patients with obstructive jaundice.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective study.

SETTING/SUBJECTS

A total of 60 patients received endoscopic biliary drainage (ERBD) or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) in two tertiary care referral centers.

MEASUREMENTS

Successful drainage and survival were measured.

RESULTS

Successful drainage was achieved in 39 (65%) patients. The median survival of 39 patients in whom successful drainage was achieved, regardless of which procedure was performed, was much longer than that of 21 patients without successful drainage (147 days versus 38 days, respectively, P<.001). In particular, the median survival was longer in 17 patients who underwent TACE after achieving successful drainage than in 22 patients who were treated conservatively after achieving successful drainage (410 days versus 77 days, respectively, P<.001). Multivariable analysis in 39 patients in the successful drainage group showed that TACE (hazard ratio 0.15; 95% confidence interval 0.05-0.45, P=.001) was an independent predictive factor of a favorable outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Effective palliation by successful biliary drainage with subsequent TACE might prolong the survival in patients with obstructive jaundice caused by unresectable HCC.

Biliary drainage for obstructive jaundice caused by unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: the endoscopic versus percutaneous approach

BACKGROUND

For palliative treatment of the obstructive jaundice associated with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) or endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ERBD) has been performed. PTBD is preferred as an initial procedure. Little is known about the better option for patients with obstructive jaundice caused by unresectable HCC.

METHODS

Sixty patients who had received ERBD or PTBD for the palliative treatment of obstructive jaundice caused by unresectable HCC between January 2006 and May 2010 were included in this retrospective study. Successful drainage, drainage patency, and the overall survival of patients were evaluated.

RESULTS

Univariate analysis revealed that the overall frequency of successful drainage was higher in the ERBD group (22/29, 75.9%) than in the PTBD group (15/31, 48.4%) (P=0.029); but multivariate analysis showed marginal significance (P=0.057). The duration of drainage patency was longer in the ERBD group than in the PTBD group (82 vs 37 days, respectively, P=0.020). Regardless of what procedure was performed, the median survival time of patients who had a successful drainage was much longer than that of the patients who did not have a successful drainage (143 vs 38 days, respectively, P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Besides PTBD, ERBD may be used as the initial treatment option to improve obstructive jaundice in patients with unresectable HCC if there is a longer duration of drainage patency after a successful drainage.

MELD-sodium score and its prognostic value in malignancy-related ascites of pancreatic and gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Malignant ascites is a manifestation of end-stage events in a variety of cancers. There is significant lack of possible survival predictors in patients with malignancy-related ascites. Since the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD)-Na score has been shown to be a feasible and independent prognostic predictor for both short- and long-term outcome in HCC patients, we decided to test its prognostic role in other cancer types with ascites.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This is a retrospective study. The outpatient oncology clinic's records were screened for the period between 2004 and 2011. Eighty-two pancreatic and gastric cancer patients were enrolled into the study.

RESULTS

The median age of patients was 59 (±12). Fifty-nine patients had gastric cancer and 23 had pancreatic cancer. Overall survival (OS) was 16.8 (IR, 1-98) months in gastric cancer and 16.3 (IR, 0.5-81) months in pancreatic cancer. There was no statistically significant difference between OS of gastric and pancreatic cancer. Progression-free survival (PFS) was statistically significantly longer in gastric cancer than pancreatic cancer with 16.5 (IR, 0.5-90) vs 6.5 (IR, 0.4-34) months (P = 0.04). Further analysis of data included stepwise multiple regression analysis with the dependent variable "overall survival." The model had two independent predictors and an R(2) of 82 % and a predicted R(2) of 81 %. Predictors for time to remission were PFS and MELD-Na. The regression equation for the model was: Overall survival =17.4- 0.522 MELD-Na + 0.902 PFS CONCLUSION: In this study we showed that progression-free survival and MELD-Na score are significantly related with overall survival. MELD-Na score can be one of the predictors of the survival and PFS in pancreatic and gastric cancer patients with ascites.

Outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous biliary drainage to reduce bilirubin for administration of chemotherapy

PURPOSE

To describe outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous biliary drainage to reduce total serum bilirubin level for administration of chemotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 647 consecutive patients underwent percutaneous biliary drainage between September 2001 and December 2008. In 168, the indication for biliary drainage was to decrease total serum bilirubin level to permit administration of chemotherapy. Of these, 20 were excluded because they had hepatic arterial infusion pumps, leaving 148 patients as the study group. The primary diagnoses for these patients were gallbladder cancer (n = 23), cholangiocarcinoma (n = 21), pancreatic cancer (n = 36), and other metastatic cancers (n = 68). Medical records and imaging studies were reviewed for demographic data, procedural information, pre- and postdrainage total serum bilirubin level levels, 30-day complications, and subsequent biliary procedures.

RESULTS

The probability of attaining a total serum bilirubin level of 1 mg/dL or lower by 100 days was 31% (95% CI, 23%-39%). Predrainage total serum bilirubin level of 9 mg/dL or lower (hazard ratio [HR], 3.27; 95% CI, 1.86-5.75; P < .001), 100% liver drainage (HR 2.73, 95% CI, 1.56-4.78; P <.001), and lower predrainage International Normalized Ratio (INR; HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.70-0.92; P = .002) were associated with an increased likelihood of attaining a total serum bilirubin level of 1 mg/dL or lower. The most common indication for follow-up was pericatheter leakage, which occurred in nearly one third of cases. During follow-up, patients required three visits per 100 catheter-days, or approximately one per month. Median overall survival in this population was approximately 3.5 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Only 31% of patients attained a normal serum bilirubin level by 100 days, and median overall survival was 107 days. Careful patient selection is warranted before biliary drainage for this indication. Maximal biliary drainage, a preprocedure total serum bilirubin of less than 9 mg/dL, and a lower INR were factors associated with serum bilirubin normalization in this cohort.

Rate of bilirubin regression after stenting in malignant biliary obstruction for the initiation of chemotherapy: how soon should we repeat endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography?

BACKGROUND

This study was conducted to evaluate the rate of regression of bilirubin after stent placement for malignant biliary obstruction.

METHODS

Records were reviewed from October 2002 to September 2005 for patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with stent placement. The time to achieve a bilirubin level <or=2 mg/dL was the primary endpoint because this is the level required by most chemotherapy protocols. Patient variables included type of cancer, liver metastasis, recent chemotherapy, baseline creatinine, and international normalized ratio (INR). Stent variables included type, dimension, stricture location, and sphincterotomy.

RESULTS

In total, 156 patients were included in the analysis: Ninety-three patients achieved a poststent bilirubin level <or=2 mg/dL, 29 patients failed because of stent failure, and 34 patients failed because of inadequate follow-up. The time required for 80% of patients to achieve normalization was more than doubled in those who had prestent bilirubin levels >or=10 mg/dL (6 weeks) compared with those who had prestent bilirubin levels <10 mg/dL (3 weeks). The following variables were identified as statistically significant: prestent bilirubin level, stricture location, liver metastasis, and INR. The cancer type, recent chemotherapy, stent type and diameter, and sphincterotomy were not statistically significant variables.

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of bilirubin normalization after biliary stenting was highly dependent on the prestent bilirubin level. Endoscopic intervention should be considered in patients who fail to achieve adequate normalization of serum bilirubin in 6 weeks if prestent bilirubin level was >or=10 mg/dL and in 3 weeks if their prestent bilirubin level was <10 mg/dL. Independent variables, such as diffuse liver metastases, stricture outside the common bile duct, and elevated INR had predictive value for bilirubin normalization.

Hepatocellular carcinoma presenting with obstructive jaundice

BACKGROUND

Jaundice occurs in 5-44% of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is an important clinical presentation as the different aetiological causes of jaundice in HCC determine the therapeutic approach and the prognosis. This article aims to review the classification, management and prognosis of patients with jaundice associated with HCC.

METHODS

A Medline search was undertaken to identify articles using the key words 'hepatocellular carcinoma', 'jaundice' and 'tumour thrombus'. Additional articles were identified by a manual search of the references from the key articles.

RESULTS

Patients with jaundice due to hepatic parenchymal insufficiency (hepatocellular type) have a very dismal prognosis. For patients with biliary obstruction due to HCC (icteric type), the reported 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates after curative resection were 57.1-100%, 20-47% and 6.7-45%, respectively. The mean survival after palliative biliary drainage alone was less than 6 months but when biliary drainage was combined with other palliative treatment, the mean survival could be up to 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

It is important to differentiate the hepatocellular type from the icteric type of HCC. For patients with the icteric type of HCC, curative liver resection can achieve a survival comparable to that in patients without jaundice. For patients with unresectable icteric type of HCC, treatment can provide improvement in patient's quality of life and survival.

Endoscopic palliation of pancreaticobiliary malignancies

The palliation of pancreaticobiliary malignancies has changed over the last two decades. With the development of biliary stents, minimally invasive procedures have replaced surgical techniques. Endoscopically placed stents remain the mainstay for the palliative treatment of malignant biliary obstruction from unresectable pancreaticobiliary tumors. Further improvements in stent designs and advances in other endoscopic technologies are expected, and these should expand the role of minimally invasive palliation. This article reviews the current and anticipated roles of endoscopic techniques in the palliation of pancreaticobiliary malignancies.

Hepatocellular carcinoma with obstructive jaundice: diagnosis, treatment and prognosis

Obstructive jaundice as the main clinical feature is uncommon in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Only 1%-12% of HCC patients manifest obstructive jaundice as the initial complaint. Such cases are clinically classified as “icteric type hepatoma”, or “cholestatic type of HCC”. Identification of this group of patients is important, because surgical treatment may be beneficial. HCC may involve the biliary tract in several different ways: tumor thrombosis, hemobilia, tumor compression, and diffuse tumor infiltration. Bile duct thrombosis (BDT) is one of the main causes for obstructive jaundice, and the previously reported incidence is 1.2%-9%. BDT might be benign, malignant, or a combination of both. Benign thrombi could be blood clots, pus, or sludge. Malignant thrombi could be primary intrabiliary malignant tumors, HCC with invasion to bile ducts, or metastatic cancer with bile duct invasion. The common clinical features of this type of HCC include: high level of serum AFP; history of cholangitis with dilation of intrahepatic bile duct; aggravating jaundice and rapidly developing into liver dysfunction. It is usually difficult to make diagnosis before operation, because of the low incidence rate, ignorant of this disease, and the difficulty for the imaging diagnosis to find the BDT preoperatively. Despite recent remarkable improvements in the imaging tools for diagnosis of HCC, such cases are still incorrectly diagnosed as cholangiocarcinoma or choledocholithiases. Ultrasonography (US) and CT are helpful in showing hepatic tumors and dilated intrahepatic and /or extrahepatic ducts containing dense material corresponding to tumor debris. Direct cholangiography including percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) remains the standard procedure to delineate the presence and level of biliary obstruction. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is superior to ERCP in interpreting the cause and depicting the anatomical extent of the perihilar obstructive jaundice, and is particularly distinctive in cases associated with tight biliary stenosis and along segmental biliary stricture. Choledochoscopy and bile duct brushing cytology could be alternative useful techniques in the differentiating obstructions due to intraluminal mass, infiltrating ductal lesions or extrinsic mass compression applicable before and after duct exploration. Jaundice is not necessarily a contraindication for surgery. Most patients will have satisfactory palliation and occasional cure if appropriate procedures are selected and carried out safely, which can result in long-term resolution of symptoms and occasional long-term survival. However, the prognosis of icteric type HCC is generally dismal, but is better than those HCC patients who have jaundice caused by hepatic insufficiency.