Catheter tract recurrence after percutaneous biliary drainage for hilar cholangiocarcinoma

Application of a New Approach for Laparoscopic Resection of Bismuth IIIa Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma

Background: Hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA) has a high degree of malignancy and poor prognosis, and the best long-term prognosis can only be achieved by radical resection. However, the surgical steps are complicated, and the operating space is limited, making it hard to complete laparoscopically. So our team proposes a new surgical approach for laparoscopic left-liver-first anterior radical modular orthotopic right hemihepatectomy (Lap-Larmorh). In this way, we can simplify the operation steps and reduce the difficulty. Materials and Methods: We recorded and analyzed the clinical data of 26 patients with type IIIa HCCA, who underwent laparoscopic radical resection in our department from December 2018 to January 2023. According to the laparoscopic surgical approach, we divided the patients into the new approach (NA) group (n = 14) using the Lap-Lamorh and the traditional approach (TA) group (n = 12) not using the Lap-Lamorh. Results: All surgeries in this study were completed laparoscopically with no conversion to open surgery. The operation time in the NA group and TA group had statistically significant differences, which was 372.5 (332.8, 420.0) minutes versus 423.5 (385.8, 498.8) minutes (P = .019). The two groups showed no significant difference in other characteristics (P > .05). Only 1 patient suffered from transient liver failure due to portal vein thrombosis. Patients with pleural effusion or ascites were cured by catheter drainage and enhanced nutrition. Conclusion: Lap-Larmorh reduces the difficulty of serving the vessels at the second and third hepatic hilum by splitting the right and left livers early intraoperatively. The new approach is more suitable for the narrow space of laparoscopic surgery and reflects the no-touch principle of oncology.

Endoscopic management of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

Endoscopic management for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCC) is evolving toward more accurate diagnosis and safer drainage. In imaging, it is important to diagnose the entire lesion using multidetector-row computed tomography to determine resectability and optimal surgical planning, followed by local diagnosis using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Video peroral cholangioscopy and probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy have been newly introduced as diagnostic imaging methods and are being applied clinically. In transpapillary forceps biopsy for PHCC diagnosis, the location in the bile duct (for mapping biopsy) and the number of biopsy samples should be determined depending on resectability, the morphological type, and future surgical planning. Preoperative drainage has shifted from percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage to endoscopic nasobiliary drainage given the possibility of seeding metastasis. In addition, considering potential patient discomfort from a nasal tube, the usefulness of the placement of a plastic stent above the papilla (inside stent) as a bridging therapy for surgery has been reported. For drainage of unresectable PHCC, the improved prognosis due to advances in chemotherapy has necessitated a strategy that accounts for reintervention. Thus, in addition to uncovered self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS), exchangeable slim fully covered SEMS and inside stents have started to be used. In addition to the conventional transpapillary approach, an endoscopic ultrasonography-guided approach has been introduced, and a combination of both methods has also been proposed. To improve the quality of life and prognosis of PHCC patients, endoscopists need to understand and be able to use the various methods of endoscopic management for PHCC.

Controversial issues of biliary stenting in patients with proximal biliary obstruction

The management of biliary decompression in malignant hilar carcinoma remains controversial. This review shows the most relevant aspects of endoprosthetics for proximal biliary obstruction, including necessity of stenting and morphological verification before radical surgery, selection of approach to drain etc. The main contradictions and ways to solve them are presented in this article, based on evidence researches, international and expert consensus conferences.

The Landmark Series: Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HC) is a rare and highly aggressive biliary tract neoplasm. As such, the data driving the management of this disease generally are not based on prospective clinical trial data but rather consist of retrospective experiences and limited level 1 data. Surgical resection offers the best chance of a long-term survival, but local and distant recurrences are common. This report presents landmark articles that form the basis of preoperative, operative, and adjuvant strategies for HC.

Occurrence of seeding metastases in resectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma and the role of low-dose radiotherapy to prevent this

BACKGROUND

Preoperative biliary drainage in patients with presumed resectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) is hypothesized to promote the occurrence of seeding metastases. Seeding metastases can occur at the surgical scars or at the site of postoperative drains, and in case of percutaneous biliary drainage, at the catheter port-site. To prevent seeding metastases after resection, we routinely treated PHC patients with preoperative radiotherapy (RT) for over 25 years until January 2018.

AIM

To investigate the incidence of seeding metastases following resection of PHC.

METHODS

All patients who underwent resection for pathology proven PHC between January 2000 and March 2019 were included in this retrospective study. Between 2000-January 2018, patients received preoperative RT (3 × 3.5 Gray). RT was omitted in patients treated after January 2018.

RESULTS

A total of 171 patients underwent resection for PHC between January 2000 and March 2019. Of 171 patients undergoing resection, 111 patients (65%) were treated with preoperative RT. Intraoperative bile cytology showed no difference in the presence of viable tumor cells in bile of patients undergoing preoperative RT or not. Overall, two patients (1.2%) with seeding metastases were identified, both in the laparotomy scar and both after preoperative RT (one patient with endoscopic and the other with percutaneous and endoscopic biliary drainage).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of seeding metastases in patients with resected PHC in our series was low (1.2%). This low incidence and the inability of providing evidence that preoperative low-dose RT prevents seeding metastases, has led us to discontinue preoperative RT in patients with resectable PHC in our center.

Pre-operative biliary drainage is associated with shortened survival time in patients with cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Although pre-operative biliary drainage (PBD) is frequently performed in patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), its impact on patient survival is unclear. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of PBD on overall survival of patients with extra-hepatic CCA.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare data. Patients who underwent biliary drainage within 3 months prior to and/or after diagnosis of CCA were included in the PBD cohort. Patients who did not receive biliary drainage were included in the non-PBD cohort. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to determine independent predictors of survival.

RESULTS

Of 3862 patients with extra-hepatic CCA, 433 (11.2%) underwent curative surgical resection, with a median survival of 14 months (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 10-21 months) in the PBD cohort (n = 126) vs 31 months (95% CI, 26-39 months) in the non-PBD cohort (n = 307) (P < 0.001), during the median follow-up duration for the surgical cohort of 26 months (range, 1-60 months). Among the 433 patients, 126 (29.1%) underwent PBD and had significantly higher Charlson comorbidity index and advanced SEER stage than those without PBD before surgery. On multivariable analysis in patients who underwent curative surgical resection, after adjusting patient demographics, tumor characteristics, Charlson comorbidity index, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, PBD was significantly associated with shortened survival time (hazard ratio, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.34-4.10; P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

PBD appears negative impact on long-term survival in patients with potentially resectable CCA and should be avoided if possible.

Progress in diagnosis and surgical treatment of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinomas are heterogeneous biliary tract tumors that cause devastating disease. Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) is the most common type of biliary tract cancer and are associated with a high mortality. Diagnoses of PHC depend on the results of its clinical presentation, serum biomarkers and imaging techniques. Pre-operative managements including pre-operative biliary drainage (PBD) and portal vein embolization (PVE) could reduce mortality. The best chance of long-term survival and potential cure is surgical resection with negative surgical margin. Lymph node metastasis over N2 nodes precludes long-term survival. The benefit of concomitant vascular resection remains uncertain. Liver transplantation combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy with radiotherapy is a promising option in highly selected patients with unresectable tumors. Herein, an overview is provided of developments in diagnosis, peri-operative management and surgical treatment among patients with PHCs.

Pleural dissemination of cholangiocarcinoma caused by percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage during the management of resectable cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Only 3 case reports have addressed pleural dissemination in association with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. The aim of this study was to investigate recurrence after resection of cholangiocarcinoma after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and to clarify the incidence of and the factors responsible for pleural dissemination.

METHODS

Between 2001 and 2015, we reviewed retrospectively all consecutive patients who underwent resection for perihilar or distal cholangiocarcinoma after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage for recurrence, including pleural dissemination.

RESULTS

During the study period, all consecutive patients underwent resection of cholangiocarcinoma after management with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. Of these, 100 patients (32.1%) underwent left-sided percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage alone, and 212 (67.9%) underwent right-sided percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage with or without left-sided percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. Pleural dissemination, which developed exclusively on the right side of the thoracic cavity after resection, was found in 12 patients (3.8%); these patients underwent right-sided percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage; computed tomography demonstrated that the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage catheter passed through the thoracic cavity in all 12 patients. The diagnosis of pleural dissemination was made at a median of 381 days (range, 44 to 2,944 days) after operation. Survival was poor, with a median survival time of 516 days. Statistically, right-sided percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage was identified as a risk factor for pleural dissemination.

CONCLUSION

Pleural dissemination after right-sided percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage is likely a procedure-related iatrogenic complication because of the "special route" by which the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage catheter must be passed through the right thoracic cavity.

Impact of preoperative endoscopic cholangiography and biliary drainage in Ampulla of Vater cancer

BACKGROUND

Ampulla of Vater (AOV) carcinoma is a rare malignancy but has a relatively good prognosis. The aims of this study were to determine the clinicopathologic factors associated with survival and disease recurrence in patients with AOV cancer, focusing on the impact of preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and type of biliary drainage (endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage [ERBD] or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage [PTBD]).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 80 patients who underwent curative resection for AOV cancer at a single institution between 1995 and 2015. The clinicopathologic factors associated with survival and disease recurrence were analyzed using univariate and multivariable tests.

RESULTS

The 5-year disease-free and overall actuarial survival rates were 39.3% and 51.3%, respectively. Moderate or poor differentiation, preoperative ERCP, advanced T stage, lymph node metastases, advanced stage and lymphovascular invasion were associated with disease-free survival in univariate analyses. The prognosis was worse in patients who underwent ERBD than in patients who underwent PTBD or no biliary drainage. Multivariable analysis showed that advanced AJCC stage and preoperative ERCP were independent risk factors for recurrence. Patient who underwent preoperative ERCP had a significantly higher rate of early distant metastasis within 1 year, especially in patients with early stage AOV cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative ERCP was an independent risk factor for postoperative recurrence in patients with AOV cancer, and is characterized by early distant metastasis in early stage cancer. Therefore, unnecessary ERCP should be avoided in patients with AOV cancer. If biliary drainage is necessary, PTBD may be preferred to ERBD in AOV cancer.

ENBD is Associated with Decreased Tumor Dissemination Compared to PTBD in Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Little is known regarding the risk of tumor dissemination when percutaneous biliary drainage is used before surgical resection of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC). We aimed to compare the incidence of tumor dissemination after preoperative endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) with that after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) for PHC.

METHODS

Data from 208 consecutive patients who underwent PHC resection between 2000 and 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. The influence of drainage type on incidence of tumor dissemination was examined. Seventy-six patients underwent ENBD (37%), 87 underwent PTBD (42%), and 45 underwent surgery without preoperative biliary drainage (WD, 22%).

RESULTS

The respective 2- and 5-year estimated cumulative incidences of tumor dissemination in the ENBD group (11.8/14.6%) were lower than in the PTBD group (28.8/35.9%, p = 0.003) and equivalent to that in the WD group (11.2/15.9%, p = NS). PTBD (hazard ratio [HR] vs. ENBD, 2.80) was an independent risk factor for postoperative tumor dissemination in the multivariate analysis. The 2- and 5-year disease-specific survival rates were higher in the ENBD group (67.6/47.3%) than in the PTBD group (56.6/27.8%, p = 0.032) and equivalent to that in the WD group (64.9/53.8%, p = NS). However, drainage type was not an independent risk factor in multivariate analysis of disease-specific survival.

CONCLUSION

For patients with PHC, the associated risk of postoperative tumor dissemination in the ENBD group was lower than in the PTBD group and equivalent to that in the WD group. Thus, ENBD is the ideal procedure for preoperative biliary drainage.

Verification of the oncologic inferiority of percutaneous biliary drainage to endoscopic drainage: A propensity score matching analysis of resectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage is an established biliary drainage method but is associated with a potential risk of seeding metastasis. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate whether percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage really increases seeding metastasis and worsens the postoperative survival in patients with resectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

METHODS

Patients who underwent resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage or endoscopic biliary drainage were retrospectively reviewed. Seeding metastasis was defined as peritoneal/pleural dissemination and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage sinus tract recurrence. Univariate and multivariate analyses followed by propensity score matching were performed to adjust the data for the baseline characteristics of the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and endoscopic biliary drainage patients.

RESULTS

Of 320 resected patients, 168 underwent percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and the remaining 152 received endoscopic biliary drainage before operation. The survival of the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage patients was significantly lower than that of the endoscopic biliary drainage patients (37.0% vs 44.3% at 5 years, P = .019). Multivariate analyses showed that percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage was an independent predictor of poor survival (P = .011) and a risk factor for seeding metastasis (P = .005). After propensity score matching (71 patients in each group), the survival of the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage patients was significantly worse than that of the endoscopic biliary drainage patients (P = .018). The estimated cumulative recurrence rate of seeding metastasis was significantly higher in the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage patients than in the endoscopic biliary drainage patients (P = .005), while the recurrence rates at other sites were similar between the 2 groups (P = .413).

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage increases the incidence of seeding metastasis and shortens the postoperative survival in patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. Endoscopic biliary drainage is recommended as the optimal method for preoperative biliary drainage.

Percutaneous biliary drainage is oncologically inferior to endoscopic drainage: a propensity score matching analysis in resectable distal cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) increases the incidence of seeding metastasis and shortens postoperative survival compared with endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD).

METHODS

A total of 376 patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy following either PTBD (n = 189) or EBD (n = 187) at 30 hospitals between 2001 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Seeding metastasis was defined as peritoneal/pleural dissemination and PTBD sinus tract recurrence. Univariate and multivariate analyses followed by propensity score matching analysis were performed to adjust the data for the baseline characteristics between the two groups.

RESULTS

The overall survival of the PTBD group was significantly shorter than that of the EBD group (34.2 % vs 48.8 % at 5 years; P = 0.003); multivariate analysis showed that the type of biliary drainage was an independent predictor of survival (P = 0.036) and seeding metastasis (P = 0.001). After two new cohorts with 82 patients each has been generated after 1:1 propensity score matching, the overall survival rate in the PTBD group was significantly less than that in the EBD group (34.7 % vs 52.5 % at 5 years, P = 0.017). The estimated recurrence rate of seeding metastasis was significantly higher in the PTBD group than in the EBD group (30.7 % vs 10.7 % at 5 years, P = 0.006), whereas the recurrence rates at other sites were similar between the two groups (P = 0.579).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with EBD, PTBD increases the incidence of seeding metastasis after resection for distal cholangiocarcinoma and shortens postoperative survival.

Percutaneous Preoperative Biliary Drainage for Resectable Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma: No Association with Survival and No Increase in Seeding Metastases

Background

Endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) are both used to resolve jaundice before surgery for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC). PTBD has been associated with seeding metastases. The aim of this study was to compare overall survival (OS) and the incidence of initial seeding metastases that potentially influence survival in patients with preoperative PTBD versus EBD.

Methods

Between 1991 and 2012, a total of 278 patients underwent preoperative biliary drainage and resection of PHC at 2 institutions in the Netherlands and the United States. Of these, 33 patients were excluded for postoperative mortality. Among the 245 included patients, 88 patients who underwent preoperative PTBD (with or without previous EBD) were compared to 157 patients who underwent EBD only. Survival analysis was done with Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression with propensity score adjustment.

Results

Unadjusted median OS was comparable between the PTBD group (35 months) and EBD-only group (41 months; P = 0.26). After adjustment for propensity score, OS between the PTBD group and EBD-only group was similar (hazard ratio, 1.05; 95 % confidence interval, 0.74–1.49; P = 0.80). Seeding metastases in the laparotomy scar occurred as initial recurrence in 7 patients, including 3 patients (3.4 %) in the PTBD group and 4 patients (2.7 %) in the EBD-only group (P = 0.71). No patient had an initial recurrence in percutaneous catheter tracts.

Conclusions

The present study found no effect of PTBD on survival compared to patients with EBD and no increase in seeding metastases that developed as initial recurrence. These data suggest that PTBD can safely be used in preoperative management of PHC.

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary metal stent for malignant hilar obstruction: results and predictive factors for efficacy in 159 patients from a single center

AIM

To investigate and compare the efficacy and safety of percutaneous transhepatic biliary stenting (PTBS) using a one- or two-stage procedure and determine the predictive factors for the efficacious treatment of malignant hilar obstruction (MHO).

METHODS

159 consecutive patients with MHO who underwent PTBS were enrolled between January 2010 and June 2013. Patients were classified into one- or two-stage groups. Independent predictors of therapeutic success were evaluated using a logistic regression model.

RESULTS

108 patients were treated with one-stage PTBS and 51 patients were treated with two-stage PTBS. The stents were technically successful in all patients. Successful drainage was achieved in 114 patients (71.4 %). A total of 42 early major complications were observed. Re-interventions were attempted in 23 patients during follow-up. The cumulative primary patency rates at 3, 6, and 12 months were 88, 71, and 48 %, respectively. Stent placement using a one- or two-stage procedure did not significantly affect therapeutic success, early major complications, median stent patency, or survival. A stent placed across the duodenal papilla was an independent predictor of therapeutic success (odds ratio = 0.262, 95 % confidence interval [0.107-0.642]). Patients with stents across papilla had a lower rate of cholangitis compared with patients who had a stent above papilla (7.1 vs. 20.3 %, respectively, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of patients with MHO who underwent one-stage PTBS showed similar efficacy and safety outcomes compared with those who underwent two-stage PTBS. Stent placement across the duodenal papilla was associated with a higher therapeutic success rate.

Preoperative endoscopic versus percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in potentially resectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (DRAINAGE trial): design and rationale of a randomized controlled trial

Background

Liver surgery in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) is associated with high postoperative morbidity because the tumor typically causes biliary obstruction. Preoperative biliary drainage is used to create a safer environment prior to liver surgery, but biliary drainage may be harmful when severe drainage-related complications deteriorate the patients’ condition or increase the risk of postoperative morbidity. Biliary drainage can cause cholangitis/cholecystitis, pancreatitis, hemorrhage, portal vein thrombosis, bowel wall perforation, or dehydration. Two methods of preoperative biliary drainage are mostly applied: endoscopic biliary drainage, which is currently used in most regional centers before referring patients for surgical treatment, and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. Both methods are associated with severe drainage-related complications, but two small retrospective series found a lower incidence in the number of preoperative complications after percutaneous drainage compared to endoscopic drainage (18-25% versus 38-60%, respectively). The present study randomizes patients with potentially resectable PHC and biliary obstruction between preoperative endoscopic or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage.

Methods/Design

The study is a multi-center trial with an “all-comers” design, randomizing patients between endoscopic or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. All patients selected to potentially undergo a major liver resection for presumed PHC are eligible for inclusion in the study provided that the biliary system in the future liver remnant is obstructed (even if they underwent previous inadequate endoscopic drainage). Primary outcome measure is the total number of severe preoperative complications between randomization and exploratory laparotomy. The study is designed to detect superiority of percutaneous drainage: a provisional sample size of 106 patients is required to detect a relative decrease of 50% in the number of severe preoperative complications (alpha = 0.95; beta = 0.8). Interim analysis after inclusion of 53 patients (50%) will provide the definitive sample size. Secondary outcome measures encompass the success of biliary drainage, quality of life, and postoperative morbidity and mortality.

Discussion

The DRAINAGE trial is designed to identify a difference in the number of severe drainage-related complications after endoscopic and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in patients selected to undergo a major liver resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Trial registration

Netherlands Trial Register [NTR4243, 11 October 2013].

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12876-015-0251-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Does preoperative biliary drainage compromise the long-term survival of patients with pancreatic head carcinoma?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) on long-term survival in patients with pancreatic head carcinoma after surgical resection.

METHODS

Medical records of 160 patients with pancreatic head carcinoma who underwent surgical resection were reviewed retrospectively. Clinicopathological parameters including long-term survival were compared between patients who did and did not undergo PBD.

RESULTS

Overall survival of patients who underwent PBD (n = 93) was significantly worse than that of patients who did not (n = 67) by univariate analysis (P = 0.030). However, multivariate analysis revealed that PBD was not an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (P = 0.227). Patients who underwent percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) had significantly worse survival than patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ERBD, P = 0.038) and patients who did not undergo PBD (P = 0.001). The rate of peritoneal recurrence in patients who underwent PTBD was significantly higher than that of patients who underwent ERBD (P = 0.033) or patients who did not undergo PBD (P = 0.034).

CONCLUSIONS

PBD may not affect the long-term survival of patients with pancreatic head carcinoma if ERBD is used.

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma: diagnosis, treatment options, and management

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HC) is a rare disease with a poor prognosis which typically presents in the 6(th) decade of life. Of the 3,000 cases seen annually in the United States, less than one half of these tumors are resectable. A variety of risk factors have been associated with HC, most notably primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), biliary stone disease and parasitic liver disease. Patients typically present with abdominal pain, pruritis, weight loss, and jaundice. Computed topography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound (US) are used to characterize biliary lesions. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) assess local ductal extent of the tumor while allowing for therapeutic biliary drainage. MRCP has demonstrated similar efficacies to PTC and ERCP in identifying anatomic extension of tumors with less complications. Treatment consists of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy. Biliary drainage of the future liver remnant should be performed to decrease bilirubin levels thereby facilitating future liver hypertrophy. Standard therapy consists of surgical margin-negative (R0) resection with extrahepatic bile duct resection, hepatectomy and en bloc lymphadenectomy. Local resection should not be undertaken. Lymph node invasion, tumor grade and negative margins are important prognostic indicators. In instances where curative resection is not possible, liver transplantation has demonstrated acceptable outcomes in highly selected patients. Despite the limited data, chemotherapy is indicated for patients with unresectable tumors and adequate functional status. Five-year survival after surgical resection of HC ranges from 10% to 40% however, recurrence can be as high as 50-70% even after R0 resection. Due to the complexity of this disease, a multi-disciplinary approach with multimodal treatment is recommended for this complex disease.