Proximal biliary malignancy.
Hilar cholangiocarcinoma is a rare malignancy that occurs at the bifurcation of the bile ducts. Complete surgical excision with negative histologic margins remains the only hope for cure or long-term survival. Because of its location and proximity to the vascular inflow of the liver, surgical resection is technically difficult and may require advanced vascular reconstructions to achieve complete excision. Patients who are not candidates for resection should undergo palliative biliary drainage. The role of neoadjuvant therapy and liver transplantation in the management of hilar cholangiocarcinoma remains to be defined in light of the recent promising results.
Akoad
Mohamed
M
Division of Hepatobiliary and Liver Transplantation, The Lahey Clinic Medical Center, 41 Mall Road, 4 West, Burlington, MA 01803, USA.
Jenkins
Roger
R
D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003938:Diagnostic Techniques, Digestive System; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D011379:Prognosis