The clinical presentation and prognostic factors for intrahepatic and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in a tertiary care centre

Current interventional options for palliative care for patients with advanced-stage cholangiocarcinoma

Primary biliary tract tumors are malignancies that originate in the liver, bile ducts, or gallbladder. These tumors often present with jaundice of unknown etiology, leading to delayed diagnosis and advanced disease. Currently, several palliative treatment options are available for primary biliary tract tumors. They include percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD), biliary stenting, and surgical interventions such as biliary diversion. Systemic therapy is also commonly used for the palliative treatment of primary biliary tract tumors. It involves the administration of chemotherapy drugs, such as gemcitabine and cisplatin, which have shown promising results in improving overall survival in patients with advanced biliary tract tumors. PTBD is another palliative treatment option for patients with unresectable or inoperable malignant biliary obstruction. Biliary stenting can also be used as a palliative treatment option to alleviate symptoms in patients with unresectable or inoperable malignant biliary obstruction. Surgical interventions, such as biliary diversion, have traditionally been used as palliative options for primary biliary tract tumors. However, biliary diversion only provides temporary relief and does not remove the tumor. Primary biliary tract tumors often present in advanced stages, making palliative treatment the primary option for improving the quality of life of patients.

Laparoscopic versus open hepatectomy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in patients aged 60 and older: a retrospective cohort study

Objective laparoscopic surgical excision is the recommended treatment for liver cancers, yet its benefits in patients aged 60 and older remain poorly understood. Thus, this study evaluated the feasibility, safety, and clinical outcomes of laparoscopic hepatectomy for patients aged 60 and older with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).MethodsAfter screening, 107 patients who underwent hepatectomy for ICC were enrolled and grouped into either laparoscopic (LH) or open hepatectomy (OH) groups. Baseline characteristics, pathological findings, and long-term outcomes were compared between the two groups. Independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsAmong baseline characteristics and pathological findings, only pre-operative albumin was higher in the LH group. The LH group had more favorable short-term outcomes such as incision length, level of postoperative total bilirubin, and length of postoperative stays than the OH group. The postoperative complication, lymph node dissection and R0 resection rate, and long-term outcomes including OS and DFS were not significantly different between the two groups. Cancer Antigen-19-9(CA-19-9) and pathological differentiation were independent prognostic factors for OS, whereas CA-19-9 and neutrophil count were independent prognostic factors for DFS.ConclusionLH is safe, reliable, and feasible for treatment of ICC patients aged 60 and older as it had better short-term clinical outcomes than OH and achieved long-term prognoses that were comparable to those of OH.

External validation study of the 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: a single-center experience in China and proposal for simplification

Background

Several changes have been made to the primary tumor (T) and lymph node (N) categories in the new 8^th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA). This study was conducted to validate the 8^th edition of the AJCC staging system for pCCA in China.

Methods

A total of 335 patients who underwent curative-intent resection for pCCA between January 2010 and December 2018 were retrospectively enrolled. The overall survival (OS) of groups of patients was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The log-rank test was used to compare OS between groups. The concordance index (C-index), Akaike information criteria (AIC), and time-dependent area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) were computed to evaluate the discriminatory power of the 8^th and 7^th editions of the AJCC staging system.

Results

The T category changed in 25 (7.5%) patients, the N category changed in 39 (11.6%) patients, and the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage changed in 157 (46.9%) patients when the 8^th and 7^th editions were compared. No statistically significant difference in survival was observed between T2aN0M0 and T2bN0M0. The C-index of the 8^th edition was 0.609 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.568-0.650], which was slightly higher than that of the 7^th edition (C-index, 0.599, 95% CI: 0.558-0.640). The time-dependent AUC value also corroborated that the 8^th edition had a better performance than the 7^th edition.

Conclusions

The 8^th edition of the AJCC staging system for pCCA showed a better ability than the 7^th edition to discriminate patient survival. However, further simplification of the 8^th edition is still needed.

Outcome of Transplant-fallout Patients With Unresectable Cholangiocarcinoma

Objectives:

The aim of this was to determine survival after starting neoadjuvant therapy for patients who became ineligible for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).

Methods and Materials:

Since January 1993, 215 patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma began treatment with planned OLT. Treatment included external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) with fluorouracil, bile duct brachytherapy, and postradiotherapy fluorouracil or capecitabine before OLT. Adverse findings at the staging operation, death, and other factors precluded OLT in 63 patients (29%), of whom 61 completed neoadjuvant chemoradiation.

Results:

By October 2012, 56 (89%) of the 63 patients unable to undergo OLT had died. Twenty-two patients (35%) became ineligible for OLT before the staging operation, 38 (60%) at the staging operation, and 3 (5%) after staging. From the date of diagnosis, median overall survival was 12.3 months. Survival was 17% at 18 months and 7% at 24 months. Median survival after fallout was 6.8 months. Median survival after the staging operation was 6 months. Two patients lived for 3.7 and 8.7 years before dying of cancer or liver failure caused by persistent biliary stricture at the site of the original cancer, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that time from diagnosis to fallout correlated with overall survival (P=0.04).

Conclusions:

In highly selected patients initially suitable for OLT, the mortality rate for cholangiocarcinoma was high in patients who became ineligible for OLT. Their survival, however, was comparable to expected survival for patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease treated with nontransplant therapies. The most common reason for patient fallout was adverse findings at the staging operation.

Patterns of care and treatment outcomes in older patients with biliary tract cancer

Background

Although biliary tract cancers (BTC) are common in older age-groups, treatment approaches and outcomes are understudied in this population.

Patients and Methods

Data from 913 patients diagnosed with BTC from January 1987 to July 2013 and treated at Princess Margaret Cancer Center, Toronto were analyzed. The differences in treatment patterns between older and younger patients were explored and the impact of age, patient and disease characteristics on survival outcomes was assessed.

Results

Three hundred and twenty one patients ≥70 years were identified. Older patients were more likely to receive best supportive care, 40% (n = 130), compared to younger patients 26% (n = 154); p < 0.0001. On multivariable analysis, factors associated with receipt of surgery included stage I/II disease (p < 0.0001) and ECOG PS < 2 (p < 0.0001). Older age was not associated with lack of surgical intervention. In comparison, older age was associated with non-receipt of palliative chemotherapy (p = 0.0007). Similar survival benefit from treatment was seen in older and younger patients. Of 626 patients that underwent either surgery or palliative chemotherapy (n = 188), the median survival was 21.1 months (95% CI 19.0–27.9) in patients >70 years of age, and 21.1 months in younger patients (n = 438) (95% CI 19.5–24.5).

Conclusion

In this large retrospective analysis, older patients with BTC are less likely to undergo an intervention. However, active therapy when given is associated with similar survival benefits, irrespective of age.

Sex-specific and race/ethnicity-specific disparities in cholangiocarcinoma incidence and prevalence in the USA: An updated analysis of the 2000-2011 Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results registry

AIM

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an uncommon but lethal malignancy with an increasing worldwide incidence of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), but decreasing incidence of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECC). To evaluate age-specific, sex-specific, race/ethnicity-specific variations in CCA incidence in the USA.

METHODS

Using population-based cancer registry data from the 2000-2011 Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results registry, we retrospectively evaluated age-specific, sex-specific, race/ethnicity-specific variations in incidence and prevalence of CCA stratified by ICC and ECC subtypes among adults in the USA.

RESULTS

A total of 11 296 patients with ICC and 8672 patients with ECC were identified. ICC incidence was significantly higher than ECC incidence (1.6 vs 1.3 per 100 000/year, P < 0.01). Among all race/ethnic groups and among both ICC and ECC, Asians had the highest cancer incidence. When stratified by age, CCA incidence increased with age among all groups; however, the rising incidence was most rapid among Asians. For example, among patients aged 80 years and over, the incidence of ICC among Asians was nearly twice the incidence among non-Hispanic whites (13.8 vs 7.2 per 100 000/year). Overall, CCA incidence was higher among men compared with women, and with increasing age, this sex-specific disparity was more pronounced. For example, among patients aged 80 years and over, the incidence of ICC was 9.8 per 100 000/year among men and 6.9 per 100 000/year among women.

CONCLUSION

Among adults with CCA in the USA, increasing age was associated with increasing incidence of CCA. In addition, sex-specific and race/ethnicity-specific disparities were seen with the highest incidence of CCA among men and among Asians.

Expert consensus document: Cholangiocarcinoma: current knowledge and future perspectives consensus statement from the European Network for the Study of Cholangiocarcinoma (ENS-CCA)

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a heterogeneous group of malignancies with features of biliary tract differentiation. CCA is the second most common primary liver tumour and the incidence is increasing worldwide. CCA has high mortality owing to its aggressiveness, late diagnosis and refractory nature. In May 2015, the "European Network for the Study of Cholangiocarcinoma" (ENS-CCA: www.enscca.org or www.cholangiocarcinoma.eu) was created to promote and boost international research collaboration on the study of CCA at basic, translational and clinical level. In this Consensus Statement, we aim to provide valuable information on classifications, pathological features, risk factors, cells of origin, genetic and epigenetic modifications and current therapies available for this cancer. Moreover, future directions on basic and clinical investigations and plans for the ENS-CCA are highlighted.

Prognostic value of CA 19-9 kinetics during gemcitabine-based chemotherapy in patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Little is known of the prognostic value of CEA/CA 19-9 kinetics during chemotherapy in patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma (CCA).

METHODS

A total of 236 patients with pathologically confirmed advanced CCA received gemcitabine-based chemotherapy were reviewed, and 179 were eligible for analysis. Baseline, pre-, and post-treatment (after two cycles of chemotherapy) CEA and CA 19-9 values were checked, and survival was compared according to various cutting points of baseline measurement or extent of change of tumor marker level.

RESULTS

Patients with a ≥ 50% decline in CA 19-9 level had better survival than the others (16.0 vs 9.0 months). However, CEA decline did not predict survival gain. Significant favorable prognostic factors of survival in multivariable analysis included initial treatment response (HR 0.61), distal location of tumor (HR 0.46), baseline CA 19-9 level ≤ 1000 U/mL (HR 0.58), and ≥ 50% decline in CA 19-9 level (HR 0.50). Subgroup analysis was conducted in 114 patients with pre-treatment CA 19-9 > 37 U/mL and bilirubin ≤ 2 mg/dL. Decline ≥ 50% in CA 19-9 level still showed an independent prognostic significance (HR 0.45).

CONCLUSION

CA 19-9 but not CEA kinetics serves as a predictor of better survival in patients with advanced CCA on gemcitabine-based chemotherapy. A ≥ 50% decline in CA 19-9 level after two cycles of chemotherapy may have clinical utility as an early indicator of better response to gemcitabine-based chemotherapy.

Second-line systemic treatment for advanced cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Gemcitabine plus platinum (GEM-P) combination chemotherapy is standard treatment for first-line advanced cholangiocarcinoma (aCC). GEM-P first-line therapy reports a progression-free survival (PFS) of 8 months and overall survival (OS) of 11.7 months. Treatment in the second-line setting is less clear. Five-year survival for aCC remains dismal at 5-10%. The purpose of this study was to describe the outcomes with second-line systemic treatment at our institution.

METHODS

This study was a single institution retrospective chart review of aCC patients who initiated second-line systemic treatment during 1/1/2009 to 12/31/2012. The primary objective was to evaluate PFS with second-line systemic treatment. Secondary objectives were OS and disease control rate. Second-line systemic regimens were classified into four treatment groups: GEM-P, gemcitabine + fluoropyrimidine (GEM-FU), other FU combination (FU-combo), and others.

RESULTS

Fifty-six patients were included and the majority had intrahepatic aCC. A total of 80% received first-line gemcitabine-based therapy. Second-line therapy consisted of GEM-P (19.6%), GEM-FU (28.6%), FU-combo (37.5%), and others (14.3%). Median PFS was 2.7-month (95% CI, 2.3-3.8 months) with a median OS of 13.8 months (95% CI, 12-19.3 months) and a disease control rate of 50%. No significant difference in survival was identified between the four treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed a 2.7-month PFS, 50% disease control rate, and potential survival benefit with second-line treatment. Options for second-line systemic therapy include GEM-FU, FU-combo, GEM-P if not given in the first-line setting. Targeted therapy with erlotinib or bevacizumab could be considered in addition to chemotherapy.

Improved post-transplant survival in the United States for patients with cholangiocarcinoma after 2000

BACKGROUND

The incidence of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) continues to rise. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) can be used for selected patients with localized but unresectable hilar CCA. Although initial post-OLT survival rates were poor, outcomes after introduction of the Mayo Clinic protocol have been more promising and there has been increased interest in OLT for CCA nationally.

AIMS

The aim of this study is to determine post-transplant survival and prognostic factors for patients undergoing OLT for CCA.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of all patients with CCA listed nationwide for OLT between October 1987 and May 2008 was performed using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database. Survival curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using log-rank test.

RESULTS

Of 595 patients with CCA listed for OLT, 359 (60.3 %) underwent OLT. Median age at OLT was 49 years, 66 % were male and 91 % were Caucasian. The median follow-up time was 2 years. There has been an increasing number of liver transplants performed for CCA since 2000. The 1- and 5-year probability of survival was 85.8 and 51.4 %, respectively. On multivariate analysis, significant prognostic factors for decreased post-OLT survival included transplant before 2000 (HR 11.25, 95 % CI 1.28-98.7) and acute cellular rejection (HR 5.64, 95 % CI 1.14-27.8).

CONCLUSIONS

Survival after transplant for CCA has improved over time, and OLT is being used more frequently in the treatment of CCA. Significant predictors of post-OLT survival include a history of acute rejection and date of transplant in relation to the publication of Mayo protocol results.

Comparative outcomes of elderly and non-elderly patients receiving first-line palliative chemotherapy for advanced biliary tract cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Few studies have reported the efficacy and safety of palliative chemotherapy in elderly patients with advanced biliary tract cancer. We aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of palliative chemotherapy for advanced biliary tract cancer in elderly patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 403 consecutive patients who received palliative chemotherapy between April 2006 and March 2009 for pathologically confirmed unresectable or recurrent biliary tract cancer. Clinical outcomes of the elderly group (≥ 75 years old; n = 94) were compared with those of the non-elderly group (< 75 years old; n = 309).

RESULTS

Except for the extent of disease, patient baseline characteristics were well balanced between both groups. The median overall survival was 10.4 months in the elderly group and 11.5 months in the non-elderly group (hazard ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.89-1.45; P = 0.31). Although the frequency of adverse events between both groups was similar, interstitial pneumonitis was significantly more frequent in the elderly group than in the non-elderly group (4.3% vs 0%, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In advanced biliary tract cancer, overall survival of elderly patients receiving palliative chemotherapy is comparable with that of non-elderly patients. To our knowledge, this is one of the largest studies that have reported the clinical outcomes of elderly patients following palliative chemotherapy.

Hepatocellular carcinoma and other liver lesions

Patients with cirrhosis are at greatest risk for development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and should undergo semiannual surveillance using ultrasound, with or without alpha fetoprotein. Patients with positive surveillance testing should undergo contrast-enhanced MRI or 4-phase CT for diagnostic evaluation. There are therapeutic options for most patients with any tumor stage; however, treatment decisions must be individualized after accounting for degree of liver dysfunction and patient performance status. A multidisciplinary approach to care is recommended for optimal communication and treatment delivery. The aim of this review is to provide an up-to-date summary of the diagnosis and management of HCC.

Older adults with biliary tract cancer: treatment and prognosis

OBJECTIVES

To compare survival in older (≥65) and younger (<65) individuals with biliary tract cancer (BTC) and to determine whether treatment efficacy varies according to age.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study and nested case-control study.

SETTING

Tertiary referral center in Korea.

PARTICIPANTS

Five hundred thirty-one individuals diagnosed with BTC from 2003 to 2011.

MEASUREMENTS

Demographic and clinical characteristics of 326 older (≥65) and 205 younger (<65) individuals with BTC were compared. Differences in survival were also assessed after matching according to propensity score.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in sex, symptoms and signs, tumor histology, stage, or surgery between the two groups, but older participants had more comorbidities and poorer performance status and underwent less chemotherapy and radiotherapy (P < .05). Survival of the two groups was compared. After adjustment for baseline characteristics using the propensity score method, survival was still comparable (P = .72). When survival of older participants in the treatment group (TG, those who underwent surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy) was compared with that of those in the supportive care group (SCG, those who received only supportive care), those in the TG had a longer survival time than those in the SCG (P < .001). This result was confirmed in the propensity analysis (including individuals undergoing surgery, P < .001; excluding individuals undergoing surgery, P < .001). In the multivariable Cox analysis, surgical resection and chemotherapy were significantly associated with longer survival, and advanced tumor stage, lower baseline serum albumin level, and greater comorbidity were found to significantly predict poor survival. Age was not associated with survival in individuals with BTC (P = .33).

CONCLUSION

Older age was not associated with poor survival in BTC, and treated individuals had longer survival in the older BTC population. Therefore, treatment should not be restricted on the basis of age.

Survival benefits of surgical resection in recurrent cholangiocarcinoma

PURPOSE

Attempt to identify the beneficial effects associated with surgical procedures on survival outcome of patients with recurrent cholangiocarcinoma.

METHODS

921 patients diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma underwent surgical resection with curative intent in a single institute during the last 15 years. Patients with recurrent disease were divided into two groups according to whether surgical procedures were performed for the treatment of recurrence. Clinicopathologic variables, ranges of survival based on sites of recurrence, and types of treatment were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The median follow-up period was 21.8 months and 316 (34.3%) patients had recurrence. 27 (group A) patients with recurrent disease were treated surgically and 289 patients (group B) were not treated. Liver resection, metastasectomy, pancreaticoduodenectomy, partial pancreatectomy, and regional lymph node dissection were performed on the patients in group A. The overall survival rate was statistically higher in group A (P = 0.001). Among the surgical procedures, resection of locoregional recurrences (except liver) in abdominal cavity (4.0 to 101.8 months vs. 0.6 to 71.6 months) and metastasectomy of abdominal or chest wall (3.5 to 18.9 months vs. 1.9 to 2.2 months) showed remarkable differences with respect to the range of survival.

CONCLUSION

Better survival outcomes can be expected by performing surgical resection of locoregional recurrences (except liver) in abdominal cavity and abdominal or chest wall metastatic lesions in recurrent cholangiocarcinoma.

Transarterial chemoembolization versus supportive therapy in the palliative treatment of unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

AIM

To evaluate the clinical outcome and the survival benefits of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) compared with supportive therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 1996 to April 2009, a total of 155 patients with unresectable ICC met the entry criteria and underwent TACE (72 patients) or supportive treatment (83 patients). Their survival was the primary end point.

RESULTS

The baseline patients and tumour characteristics were well-balanced in the two groups. The median number of sessions per patient was 2.5 (range 1-17 sessions) in the TACE group. After TACE, the incidence of significant (≥ grade 3) haematological and non-haematological toxicities was 13 and 24%, respectively, and no patients died within 30 days following TACE. The objective tumour regression (≥ partial response) was achieved in 23% of the patients in the TACE group. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the survival period was significantly longer in the TACE group (median 12.2 months) than in the symptomatic treatment (median 3.3 months) group (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

TACE is safe and offers greater survival benefits than supportive treatment for the palliative treatment of unresectable ICC.

Radiofrequency ablation for recurrent intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma after curative resection

OBJECTIVE

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has shown efficacy in patients with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma, but has not been well documented in patients with recurrent intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). We therefore evaluated the long-term survival and safety of percutaneous RFA for patients with recurrent ICC after curative resection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 20 patients with 29 recurrent ICCs underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous RFA. All patients had undergone curative resection of the primary ICC. Tumor size ranged from 0.7 cm to 4.4 cm in maximum dimension (mean, 1.9 cm; median, 1.5 cm).

RESULTS

The technical effectiveness rate of RFA was 97% (28/29) of recurrent ICCs. Mean local tumor progression-free survival was 39.8 months, and the cumulative local tumor progression-free 6 month and 1, 2, and 4 year survival rates were 93%, 74%, 74%, and 74%, respectively. Median overall survival after RFA was 27.4 months and the cumulative overall 6 month and 1, 2, and 4 year survival rates were 95%, 70%, 60%, and 21%, respectively. There were two major complications (one liver abscess and one biliary stricture, 7% per treatment) during the follow-up, but no procedure-related deaths.

CONCLUSION

RFA is safe and provides successful local tumor control in patients with recurrent ICC after curative resection. RFA for recurrent ICC resulted in a median overall survival rate of 27.4 months after RFA in the present series.

Multimodal oncological therapy comprising stents, brachytherapy, and regional chemotherapy for cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS

To prospectively evaluate our palliative management of unresectable cholangiocarcinoma (CC) treated with tailored multimodal oncological therapy.

METHODS

Between January 2005 and January 2010, 50 consecutive patients with unresectable CC and jaundice were palliated with percutaneous drainage. Forty-three patients underwent metallic-stent implantation followed by brachytherapy. Patients were divided into two arms: the intra-arterial chemotherapy arm (IA arm, n=17) consisted of patients treated with locoregional treatment (IA admission of Cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil, or chemoembolization with Lipiodol) and/or systemic chemotherapy, while the systemic chemotherapy arm (IV arm, n=23) included all the other patients, who were treated only with systemic chemotherapy.

RESULTS

In total, 78 metal self-expandable stents were placed. Hilar involvement with mass-forming and periductal infiltrating types of CC (84%) was predominant. The average number of percutaneous interventional procedures was 11.61 per patient (range, 4-35). The median overall survival from diagnosis of disease for all patients was 13.5 months (range, 11.0-18.8 months). The median overall survival times were 25.2 months (range, 15.2-31.3 months) and 11.5 months (range, 8.5-12.6 months) in the IA and IV arms, respectively (p<0.05). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates in the IA and IV arms were 88.2%, 52.9%, and 10.1% and 43.5%, 25.4, and 0%, respectively. There were no major complications (WHO III/IV) due to interventional procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

We could reach acceptable prognosis in patients with unresectable CC using complex tailored oncological therapy. However, the main limitations of prolonging survival are performance status, patient compliance and the maintaining of biliary tract patency.

Hepatobiliary malignancies with cutaneous metastases: an analysis of 8 cases

AIM: To analyze the clinical characteristics and therapeutic outcomes of 8 cases of hepatobiliary malignancies with cutaneous metastases.

METHODS: From June 2006 to June 2009, eight patients with cutaneous metastases from hepatobiliary malignancies were treated at our hospital. By retrospectively reviewing the clinical data for these patients, the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of this disease were summarized.

RESULTS: One patient with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presenting as obstructive jaundice caused by bile duct tumor thrombi developed cutaneous metastasis at the port site 20 mo after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD). The patient had survived 16 mo after resection of the port-site tumor and showed no recurrence. One HCC patient developed tumor at the incision site 9 mo after abdominal exploration. After the skin and liver tumors were excised, the patients survived 8 mo. One patient with combined HCC and cholangiocellular carcinoma developed multiple cutaneous metastases of cholangiocellular carcinoma and survived 8 mo. Two patients with cholangiocarcinoma and solitary nodular cutaneous metastasis received skin tumor excision and survived 8 and 10 mo, respectively. Of three patients with cholangiocarcinoma and multiple cutaneous metastases, one received chemotherapy and survived 6 mo, and the other 2 refused any treatment and survived 3 and 4 mo, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Puncture and operation procedures should be improved to avoid seeding metastasis. In patients with hepatobiliary malignancies, solitary nodular cutaneous metastasis has a better prognosis, while multiple cutaneous metastases have a worse prognosis.