Lymph node ratio after curative surgery for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is rare but its incidence is rising worldwide. The value of lymph node dissection for ICC is under discussion; the current staging systems do not differentiate between numbers of involved nodes.


METHODS
Ninety-three patients who underwent laparotomy for ICC between 1997 and 2007 were identified retrospectively; 46 who underwent curative resection and systematic lymphadenectomy around the hepatoduodenal ligament were analysed further. Univariable and multivariable regression analysis was performed to identify prognostic factors.


RESULTS
Tumour size and advanced tumour stage were associated with worse overall and recurrence-free survival in univariable analysis. An increased ratio of positive to total harvested lymph nodes (LNR) was also prognostic for adverse outcome in lymph node-positive patients: crude hazard ratio 8.93 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 1.52 to 32.50) for overall survival and 8.76 (1.96 to 39.22) for recurrence-free survival. Adjusted hazard ratios for LNR in multivariable regression analysis were 9.81 (1.52 to 43.44) and 10.63 (2.04 to 55.31) respectively. The total number of retrieved lymph nodes was not related to survival or recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
LNR appears to be a good prognostic factor for survival or recurrence after curative resection for ICC.
Tamandl
D
D
Departments of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Kaczirek
K
K
Gruenberger
B
B
Koelblinger
C
C
Maresch
J
J
Jakesz
R
R
Gruenberger
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / Q000601:surgery*; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000401:mortality; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies