[Therapeutic effect of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy on hilar cholangiocarcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the therapeutic effects of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) for hilar cholangiocarcinoma.


METHODS
Twenty-one patients with unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma were treated with 3D-CRT and the acute effects and survival rates were observed.


RESULTS
Eleven (52.38%) of the 21 patients achieved a complete or partial remission. One, 2- and 3-year overall survival rates were 42.85% (9/21), 28.57% (6/21), and 14.29% (3/21), respectively, with a median overall survival rate of 16.5 months. Eight patients developed duodenal ulcer as a late complication of radiotherapy, and 4 patients died of gastrointestinal bleeding.


CONCLUSIONS
3D-CRT can be considered as a valuable palliative approach for unresectabe hilar cholangiocarcinoma, and effective management of the late complications of radiotherapy play a key role in increasing survival rates of the patients.
Wu
De-hua
DH
Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Chen
Long-hua
LH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal