title: [Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: current state of palliation therapy].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Decompression of bile ducts is the priority objective in the non-curative stage of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Only this will prevent or slow down infectious complications and secondary biliary cirrhosis thereby sustaining the quality of life. KEY STATEMENTS: At present, photodynamic therapy combined with insertion of an endoprosthesis seems to be best documented and most appropriate therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from a selective literature search combined with our clinical experience were evaluated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Therapeutic measures should match the dissemination and stage of the tumor: in locally advanced or progressing disease (stage III) a local ablating therapy, in systemically progressing disease (stage IV) systemic chemotherapy should be utilised.
authors.affiliation: Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität, Universitätsklinik für Innere Medizin I, Salzburg, Österreich. g.wolkersdoerfer@salk.at
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Wolkersdörfer
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Berr
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nawara
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Emmanuel
mesh_terms: D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017734:Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001918:Brachytherapy; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D006414:Hematoporphyrin Photoradiation; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D015607:Stents