Recurrent intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: single-center experience using repeated hepatectomy and radiofrequency ablation.
BACKGROUND
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHC) is a rare liver malignancy with a rising incidence worldwide. Since no standard treatment has been established so far, the aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of repeated liver resection and/or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in selected cases with recurrent IHC.


METHODS
The outcome of 13 patients who had been treated at least once for recurrent IHC by repeated liver resection and/or RFA was retrospectively analyzed. A total of 12 repeated liver resections and 8 radiofrequency ablations were performed in these patients between 2002 and 2008.


RESULTS
After a median follow-up period of 28 months after primary liver resection (12-69 months), seven patients (54%) are still alive and three of these patients (23% of the entire cohort) are regarded as disease-free. The median survival for all patients was 51 months (12-69 months). One- and three-year survival after primary surgery was 92 and 52%, respectively, with an overall complication rate of 7.6%.


CONCLUSIONS
According to the present data, repeated liver resection and radiofrequency ablation are feasible in select patients with recurrent IHC. Both procedures can be regarded as safe and might lead to a prolongation of patient survival.
Kamphues
Carsten
C
Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Charité, Campus Virchow Klinikum, Humboldt-Universität, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany. carsten.kamphues@charite.de
Seehofer
D
D
Eisele
R M
RM
Denecke
T
T
Pratschke
J
J
Neumann
U P
UP
Neuhaus
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic; D001706:Biopsy; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome