Survival outcomes of hepatic resections in Bismuth-Corlette type IV cholangiocarcinoma

The preoperative recurrence score: Predicting early recurrence in peri-hilar cholangiocarcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Despite advances in surgical techniques, the rate of early recurrence in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PCC) remains high. We sought to develop the Preoperative Recurrence Score (PRS), a model to estimate the risk of early recurrence after resection based on preoperative radiological characteristics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data of patients who underwent surgery for PCC were retrospectively collected, and preoperative imaging was reviewed to assess tumor characteristics. A model to assess the risk of early recurrence based on preoperative radiologic characteristics was internally developed and externally validated on two cohorts of patients from two European major hepatobiliary surgery referral centers.

RESULTS

A total of 215 patients among three different patient cohorts were included in the study. Tumor size ≥18 mm (HR 2.70, 95 % CI 1.48-4.92, p = 0.001), macroscopic portal vein involvement (HR 2.28, 95%CI 1.19-4.34, p = 0.013), hepatic arteries involvement (HR 2.44, 95%CI 1.26-4.71, p = 0.008), and presence of suspicious lymph nodes (HR 1.98, 95%CI 1.02-3.83, p = 0.043) were significantly associated with recurrence-free survival (RFS). The model showed excellent discrimination both on the internal (AUC 0.83) and external validation cohorts (external 1: AUC 0.84; external 2: AUC 0.70). High PRS was associated with worse RFS among all three cohorts, with a 1-year recurrence probability of 80.1 %, 100.0 %, and 54.2 % in the internal and external validation cohorts 1 and 2, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The PRS is a simple tool that can accurately assess the risk of early recurrence in patients with PCC. Up-front surgery should be carefully evaluated in patients with high PRS, as it could result in a futile resection.

Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma resection: Is it beneficial for survival in elderly patients?

INTRODUCTION

As the population ages, surgeons are growing frequently faced with hard choices among a vast array of treatment options for the elderly. This study was to investigate safety and efficacy of resection in elderly patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Literature reading and meta-analysis unveiled that elderly PHCC patients held a higher risk of death within 90 days after hepatectomy relative to younger patients, but their 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival were comparable. Among PHCC patients who underwent hepatectomy, the proportion of elderly patients with tumor classification Bismuth I-II and tumor stage pStage 1-3 was significantly higher than that of younger patients.

RESULTS

Curative resection R0 was more common in elderly patients than younger patients, but the difference was not statistically significant. Because of more comorbidities and less physiological reserve of elderly patients, they seemed to suffer more postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

Considering improved life expectancy, it is crucial to treat elderly PHCC patients appropriately and attempts should be made to radical surgery based on comorbidities and functional status.

Survival outcomes of surgical resection in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma in endemic area of O. Viverrini, Northeast Thailand

BACKGROUND

Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) is an intractable malignancy and remains the most challenge for surgeon. This study aims to investigate survival outcomes and prognostic factors in pCCA patient.

METHODS

From October 2013 to December 2018, 240 consecutive patients with pCCA underwent surgical exploration were retrospectively reviewed. The clinicopathological parameters and surgical outcomes were extracted. Patients were divided into two groups: unresectable and resectable group. The restricted mean survival time between two groups were analyzed. Factors associated with overall survival in resectable group were explored with multivariable Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 240 patients, 201 (83.75%) were received surgical resection. The survival outcomes of resectable group were better than unresectable group significantly. The restricted mean survival time difference were 0.5 (95%CI 0.22-0.82) months, 1.8 (95%CI 1.15-2.49) months, 4.7 (95%CI 3.58-5.87) months, and 9.1 (95%CI 7.40-10.78) months at four landmark time points of 3, 6, 12 and 24 months, respectively. The incidence of major complications and 90-day mortality in resectable group were 35.82% and 11.44%, respectively. Multivariable analysis revealed that Bismuth type IV (HR:4.43, 95%CI 1.85-10.59), positive resection margin (HR:4.24, 95%CI 1.74-10.34), and lymph node metastasis (HR:2.29, 95%CI 1.04-4.99) were all independent predictors of long-term survival. For pM0, R0 and pN0 patients, the median survival time was better than pM0, R1 or pN1/2 patients and pM0, R1 and pN1/2 patients (32.4, 10.4 and 4.9 months, respectively; p < 0.001) CONCLUSION: Surgical resection increased survival in pCCA. Bismuth type IV, positive resection margin and lymph node metastasis were independent factors for long-term survival.

Survival outcome of surgical resection compared to non-resection for Bismuth type IV perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Bismuth type IV perihilar cholangiocarcinoma has been considered an unresectable disease. The aim of the study was to assess whether the surgical resection of type IV perihilar cholangiocarcinoma was associated with better survival rates.

METHODS

The data of 117 patients diagnosed with type IV perihilar cholangiocarcinoma at Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital from 2005 to 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The Bismuth type was assigned based on the patient's radiological imaging findings. The primary outcomes were the surgical results and median overall survival.

RESULTS

The demographic characteristics of the 117 patients with type IV perihilar cholangiocarcinoma were comparable between the surgical resection and non-resection groups. Thirty-two (27.4%) patients underwent surgical resections. A left hepatectomy was performed in 16 patients, right hepatectomy in 13 patients, and a central bi-sectionectomy in three patients. The remaining 85 patients received non-surgical treatments. Thirteen (10.9%) received palliative chemotherapy, and 72 (60.5%) patients received conservative treatment including biliary drainage. The patients in the resection group showed significantly longer median overall survival than the patients in the non-resection group (32.4 vs 16.0 months; P = 0.002), even though the positive resection margin rate was high (62.5%). Surgical complications occurred in 15 (46.9%) patients. Complications of Clavien-Dindo classification grade III or higher occurred in 13 (40.6%) patients and grade V in two patients (6.3%).

CONCLUSION

Surgical resection for Bismuth type IV perihilar cholangiocarcinoma is technically demanding. The survival of the resection group was significantly better than that of the non-resection group. The resection of selected patients achieved a curative goal with acceptable postoperative morbidity, although the microscopically positive resection margin rate was high.

Early postoperative decrease of skeletal muscle mass predicts recurrence and poor survival after surgical resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Preoperative sarcopenia is a predictor of poor survival in cancer patients. We hypothesized that sarcopenia could progress as occult metastasis arose, especially after highly invasive surgery for highly aggressive malignancy. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of postoperative changes in skeletal muscle mass volume with survival outcomes in patients who underwent surgery for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

METHODS

Fifty-six patients who underwent major hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma were studied. The skeletal muscle index (SMI) at the third lumbar vertebra was calculated from axial computed tomography images taken preoperatively and 3-6 months postoperatively (early postoperative period). The associations of clinicopathological variables, including changes of SMI after surgery, with overall survival and recurrence-free survival were evaluated. Moreover, the associations of decreased SMI and elevated serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level with early recurrence and poor survival was compared.

RESULTS

Among 56 patients, 26 (46%) had sarcopenia preoperatively and SMI decreased in 29 (52%) in the early postoperative period. During the median follow-up of 57.9 months, 35 patients (63%) developed recurrence and 29 (50%) died. Decreased SMI in the early postoperative period was independently associated with a shorter overall survival (hazard ratio, 2.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-6.18; P = 0.049) and a shorter recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio, 2.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-4.57; P = 0.039), whereas elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level was not.

CONCLUSIONS

Decreased SMI in the early postoperative period may be used as a predictor for recurrence and poor survival in patients undergoing surgery for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Impact of surgery on survival outcomes for Bismuth type IV Klatskin tumors

BACKGROUND

Bismuth-Corlette type IV Klatskin tumors have conventionally been considered unresectable. This retrospective study aimed to demonstrate the survival improvement of patients with type IV Klatskin tumors when resected and suggest possible radiological features for R0 resectability.

METHODS

Data on type IV Klatskin tumors diagnosed between 2008 and 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with distant metastasis, concomitant other cancers at the initial state, extensive vascular invasions, poor liver function, and poor general condition were excluded. The survival outcomes of patients and radiologic parameters of bile duct tumors were compared between the curative resection (R0, 1 resection) and non-resection groups.

RESULTS

The demographic findings of patients with curative resection (n = 48) and non-resection (n = 111) were comparable. Both were potentially resectable in the initial state. The postoperative morbidity was 22.9% and the 90-day mortality 4.2%. There was a significant difference in the median survival among the curative-intended resection, palliative treatment, and supportive care groups (35, 16, and 12 months, respectively; P < 0.001).

DISCUSSION

In patients with type IV Klatskin tumor without extensive tumor invasion into adjacent tissues, including major vessels, surgical resection can be considered for better survival.

CLINICAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

IRB No. 2009-100-1157.

Impact of Positive Lymph Nodes and Resection Margin Status on the Overall Survival of Patients with Resected Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma: The ENSCCA Registry

Background: Lymph node metastasis and positive resection margins have been reported to be major determinants of overall survival (OS) and poor recurrence-free survival (RFS) for patients who underwent resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA). However, the prognostic value of positive lymph nodes independently from resection margin status on OS has not been evaluated. Methods: From the European Cholangiocarcinoma (ENSCCA) registry, patients who underwent resection for pCCA between 1994 and 2021 were included in this retrospective cohort study. The primary outcome was OS stratified for resection margin and lymph node status. The secondary outcome was recurrence-free survival. Results: A total of 325 patients from 11 different centers and six European countries were included. Of these, 194 (59.7%) patients had negative resection margins. In 113 (34.8%) patients, positive lymph nodes were found. Lymph node status, histological grade, and ECOG performance status were independent prognostic factors for survival. The median OS for N0R0, N0R1, N+R0, and N+R1 was 38, 30, 18, and 12 months, respectively (p < 0.001). Conclusion: These data indicate that in the presence of positive regional lymph nodes, resection margin status does not determine OS or RFS in patients with pCCA. Achieving negative margins in patients with positive nodes should not come at the expense of more extensive surgery and associated higher mortality.

Surgery for Bismuth-Corlette Type 4 Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma: Results from a Western Multicenter Collaborative Group

Background

Although Bismuth-Corlette (BC) type 4 perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) is no longer considered a contraindication for curative surgery, few data are available from Western series to indicate the outcomes for these patients. This study aimed to compare the short- and long-term outcomes for patients with BC type 4 versus BC types 2 and 3 pCCA undergoing surgical resection using a multi-institutional international database.

Methods

Uni- and multivariable analyses of patients undergoing surgery at 20 Western centers for BC types 2 and 3 pCCA and BC type 4 pCCA.

Results

Among 1138 pCCA patients included in the study, 826 (73%) had BC type 2 or 3 disease and 312 (27%) had type 4 disease. The two groups demonstrated significant differences in terms of clinicopathologic characteristics (i.e., portal vein embolization, extended hepatectomy, and positive margin). The incidence of severe complications was 46% for the BC types 2 and 3 patients and 51% for the BC type 4 patients (p = 0.1). Moreover, the 90-day mortality was 13% for the BC types 2 and 3 patients and 12% for the BC type 4 patients (p = 0.57). Lymph-node metastasis (N1; hazard-ratio [HR], 1.62), positive margins (R1; HR, 1.36), perineural invasion (HR, 1.53), and poor grade of differentiation (HR, 1.25) were predictors of survival (all p ≤0.004), but BC type was not associated with prognosis. Among the N0 and R0 patients, the 5-year overall survival was 43% for the patients with BC types 2 and 3 pCCA and 41% for those with BC type 4 pCCA (p = 0.60).

Conclusions

In this analysis of a large Western multi-institutional cohort, resection was shown to be an acceptable curative treatment option for selected patients with BC type 4 pCCA although a more technically challenging surgical approach was required.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1245/s10434-021-09905-z.