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This PDQ cancer information summary for health professionals provides comprehensive, peer-reviewed, evidence-based information about the treatment of bile duct cancers. It is intended as a resource to inform and assist clinicians who care for cancer patients. It does not provide formal guidelines or recommendations for making health care decisions.
This summary is reviewed regularly and updated as necessary by the PDQ Adult Treatment Editorial Board, which is editorially independent of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The summary reflects an independent review of the literature and does not represent a policy statement of NCI or the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
CONTENTS
- General Information About Bile Duct Cancer
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Cancer of the bile duct (also called cholangiocarcinoma) is extremely rare. The true incidence of bile duct cancer is unknown, however, because establishing an accurate diagnosis is difficult.
Traditionally, bile duct tumors located within the liver had been classified with hepatocellular carcinoma as primary liver tumors.[ 1 ] In contrast, bile duct tumors located outside of the liver had been classified with gallbladder cancer as extrahepatic biliary tract tumors.[ 1 ] The classification of bile duct tumors has changed to include intrahepatic tumors of the bile ducts and extrahepatic tumors (perihilar and distal) of the bile ducts.
Approximately 50% of cholangiocarcinomas arise in the bile ducts of the perihilar region; 40% arise in the distal region; and 10% arise in the intrahepatic region.
Many bile duct cancers are multifocal. In most patients, the tumor cannot be completely removed by surgery and is incurable. Palliative measures such as resection, radiation therapy (e.g., brachytherapy or external-beam radiation therapy), or stenting procedures may maintain adequate biliary drainage and allow for improved quality of life.
Anatomy
The biliary system consists of a network of ducts that carry bile from the liver to the small bowel and is classified by its anatomic location (Figure 1). Bile is produced by the liver and is important for fat digestion.
Intrahepatic bile duct
The bile ducts located within the liver are called intrahepatic bile ducts. Tumors of the intrahepatic bile ducts originate in small intrahepatic ductules or large intrahepatic ducts that are proximal to the bifurcation of the right and left hepatic ducts. These tumors are also known as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas.
Extrahepatic bile duct
The bile ducts located outside of the liver are called extrahepatic bile ducts. They include part of the right and left hepatic ducts that are outside the liver, the common hepatic duct, and the common bile duct. The extrahepatic bile ducts can be further divided into the perihilar (hilum) region and distal region.
Risk Factors
Bile duct cancer may occur more frequently in patients with a history of primary sclerosing cholangitis, chronic ulcerative colitis, choledochal cysts, or infections with the liver fluke Clonorchis sinensis.[ 2 ]
Clinical Features
Distal and perihilar bile duct cancers frequently cause biliary tract obstruction, leading to the following symptoms:
Intrahepatic bile duct cancer may be relatively indolent and difficult to clinically differentiate from metastatic adenocarcinoma deposits in the liver.
Diagnostic and Staging Evaluation
Clinical evaluation is dependent on laboratory and radiographic imaging tests that include the following:
These tests demonstrate the extent of the primary tumor and help determine the presence or absence of distant metastases.
If a patient is medically fit for surgery and the tumor is amenable to surgical resection, surgical exploration is performed. Pathologic examination of the resected specimen is done to establish definitive pathologic staging.
Prognosis
Prognosis depends in part on the tumor’s anatomic location, which affects its resectability. Because of its proximity to major blood vessels and diffuse extension within the liver, a bile duct tumor can be difficult to resect. Total resection is possible in 25% to 30% of lesions that originate in the distal bile duct; the resectability rate is lower for lesions that occur in more proximal sites.[ 3 ]
Complete resection with negative surgical margins offers the only chance of cure for bile duct cancer. For localized, resectable extrahepatic and intrahepatic tumors, the presence of involved lymph nodes and perineural invasion are significant adverse prognostic factors.[ 4 ][ 5 ][ 6 ]
Additionally, the following have been associated with worse outcomes among patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas:[ 7 ][ 8 ][ 9 ]
Related Summaries
Other PDQ summaries containing information related to bile duct cancer include the following:
参考文献- Siegel R, Ma J, Zou Z, et al.: Cancer statistics, 2014. CA Cancer J Clin 64 (1): 9-29, 2014 Jan-Feb.[PUBMED Abstract]
- de Groen PC, Gores GJ, LaRusso NF, et al.: Biliary tract cancers. N Engl J Med 341 (18): 1368-78, 1999.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Stain SC, Baer HU, Dennison AR, et al.: Current management of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Surg Gynecol Obstet 175 (6): 579-88, 1992.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Wakai T, Shirai Y, Moroda T, et al.: Impact of ductal resection margin status on long-term survival in patients undergoing resection for extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Cancer 103 (6): 1210-6, 2005.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Klempnauer J, Ridder GJ, von Wasielewski R, et al.: Resectional surgery of hilar cholangiocarcinoma: a multivariate analysis of prognostic factors. J Clin Oncol 15 (3): 947-54, 1997.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Bhuiya MR, Nimura Y, Kamiya J, et al.: Clinicopathologic studies on perineural invasion of bile duct carcinoma. Ann Surg 215 (4): 344-9, 1992.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Rosen CB, Nagorney DM, Wiesner RH, et al.: Cholangiocarcinoma complicating primary sclerosing cholangitis. Ann Surg 213 (1): 21-5, 1991.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Shirabe K, Mano Y, Taketomi A, et al.: Clinicopathological prognostic factors after hepatectomy for patients with mass-forming type intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: relevance of the lymphatic invasion index. Ann Surg Oncol 17 (7): 1816-22, 2010.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Isa T, Kusano T, Shimoji H, et al.: Predictive factors for long-term survival in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Am J Surg 181 (6): 507-11, 2001.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Cellular Classification of Bile Duct Cancer
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Intrahepatic Bile Duct Cancer
The most common histopathologic types of intrahepatic bile duct tumor include the following:[ 1 ]
Perihilar Bile Duct Cancer
Adenocarcinomas are the most common type of perihilar bile duct tumor. The histologic types of perihilar bile duct cancer include the following:[ 2 ]
Distal Bile Duct Cancer
Adenocarcinomas are the most common type of distal bile duct tumors. The histologic types of distal bile duct cancer include the following:[ 3 ]
参考文献- Intrahepatic Bile Ducts. In: Amin MB, Edge SB, Greene FL, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 8th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2017, pp. 295–302.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Perihilar bile ducts. In: Amin MB, Edge SB, Greene FL, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 8th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2017, pp. 311–16.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Distal bile duct. In: Amin MB, Edge SB, Greene FL, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 8th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2017, pp. 317–25.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Stage Information for Bile Duct Cancer
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Staging for Bile Duct Cancer
Bile duct cancer is classified as resectable (localized) or unresectable, with obvious prognostic importance. The TNM (tumor, node, metastasis) staging system is used for staging bile duct cancer, commonly after surgery and pathologic examination of the resected specimen. Evaluation of the extent of disease at laparotomy is an important component of staging.
AJCC Staging System for Bile Duct Cancer
AJCC staging system for intrahepatic bile duct cancer
The AJCC has designated staging by TNM classification to define intrahepatic bile duct cancer.[ 1 ]
Tables 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 pertain to the intrahepatic bile duct cancer stages.
Table 1. Definitions of TNM Stage 0 Intrahepatic Bile Duct Cancera Stage TNM Description T = primary tumor; N = regional lymph node; M = distant metastasis. aReprinted with permission from AJCC: Intrahepatic Bile Duct. In: Amin MB, Edge SB, Greene FL, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 8th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2017, pp. 295–302. 0 Tis, N0, M0 Tis = Carcinoma in situ (intraductal tumor). N0 = No regional lymph node metastasis. M0 = No distant metastasis. Table 2. Definitions of TNM Stage I Intrahepatic Bile Duct Cancera Stage TNM Description T = primary tumor; N = regional lymph node; M = distant metastasis. aReprinted with permission from AJCC: Intrahepatic Bile Duct. In: Amin MB, Edge SB, Greene FL, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 8th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2017, pp. 295–302. I IA T1a, N0, M0 T1a = Solitary tumor ≤5 cm without vascular invasion. N0 = No regional lymph node metastasis. M0 = No distant metastasis. IB T1b, N0, M0 T1b = Solitary tumor >5 cm without vascular invasion. N0 = No regional lymph node metastasis. M0 = No distant metastasis. Table 3. Definitions of TNM Stage II Intrahepatic Bile Duct Cancera Stage TNM Description T = primary tumor; N = regional lymph node; M = distant metastasis. aReprinted with permission from AJCC: Intrahepatic Bile Duct. In: Amin MB, Edge SB, Greene FL, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 8th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2017, pp. 295–302. II T2, N0, M0 T2 = Solitary tumor with intrahepatic vascular invasion or multiple tumors, with or without vascular invasion. N0 = No regional lymph node metastasis. M0 = No distant metastasis. Table 4. Definitions of TNM Stage III Intrahepatic Bile Duct Cancera Stage TNM Description T = primary tumor; N = regional lymph node; M = distant metastasis. aReprinted with permission from AJCC: Intrahepatic Bile Duct. In: Amin MB, Edge SB, Greene FL, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 8th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2017, pp. 295–302. III IIIA T3, N0, M0 T3 =Tumor perforating the visceral peritoneum. N0 = No regional lymph node metastasis. M0 = No distant metastasis. IIIB T4, N0, M0 T4 = Tumor involving local extrahepatic structures by direct invasion. N0 = No regional lymph node metastasis. M0 = No distant metastasis. Any T, N1, M0 TX = Primary tumor cannot be assessed. T0 = No evidence of primary tumor. Tis = Carcinoma in situ (intraductal tumor). T1 = Solitary tumor without vascular invasion, ≤5 cm or >5 cm. –T1a = Solitary tumor ≤5 cm without vascular invasion. –T1b = Solitary tumor >5 cm without vascular invasion. T2 = Solitary tumor with intrahepatic vascular invasion or multiple tumors, with or without vascular invasion. T3 = Tumor perforating the visceral peritoneum. T4 = Tumor involving local extrahepatic structures by direct invasion. N1 = Regional lymph node metastasis present. M0 = No distant metastasis. Table 5. Definitions of TNM Stage IV Intrahepatic Bile Duct Cancera Stage TNM Description T = primary tumor; N = regional lymph node; M = distant metastasis. aReprinted with permission from AJCC: Intrahepatic Bile Duct. In: Amin MB, Edge SB, Greene FL, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 8th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2017, pp. 295–302. IV Any T, Any N, M1 TX = Primary tumor cannot be assessed. T0 = No evidence of primary tumor. Tis = Carcinoma in situ (intraductal tumor). T1 = Solitary tumor without vascular invasion, ≤5 cm or >5 cm. –T1a = Solitary tumor ≤5 cm without vascular invasion. –T1b = Solitary tumor >5 cm without vascular invasion. T2 = Solitary tumor with intrahepatic vascular invasion or multiple tumors, with or without vascular invasion. T3 = Tumor perforating the visceral peritoneum. T4 = Tumor involving local extrahepatic structures by direct invasion. NX = Regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed. N0 = No regional lymph node metastasis. N1 = Regional lymph node metastasis present. M1 = Distant metastasis present. AJCC staging system for perihilar bile duct cancer
The AJCC has designated staging by TNM classification to define perihilar bile duct cancer.[ 2 ]
Tables 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 pertain to the perihilar bile duct cancer stages.
Table 6. Definitions of TNM Stage 0 Perihilar Bile Duct Cancera Stage TNM Description T = primary tumor; N = regional lymph node; M = distant metastasis. aReprinted with permission from AJCC: Perihilar Bile Ducts. In: Amin MB, Edge SB, Greene FL, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 8th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2017, pp. 311–6. 0 Tis, N0, M0 Tis = Carcinoma in situ/high-grade dysplasia. N0 = No regional lymph node metastasis. M0 = No distant metastasis. Table 7. Definitions of TNM Stage I Perihilar Bile Duct Cancera Stage TNM Description T = primary tumor; N = regional lymph node; M = distant metastasis. aReprinted with permission from AJCC: Perihilar Bile Ducts. In: Amin MB, Edge SB, Greene FL, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 8th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2017, pp. 311–6. I T1, N0, M0 T1 = Tumor confined to the bile duct, with extension up to the muscle layer or fibrous tissue. N0 = No regional lymph node metastasis. M0 = No distant metastasis. Table 8. Definitions of TNM Stage II Perihilar Bile Duct Cancera Stage TNM Description T = primary tumor; N = regional lymph node; M = distant metastasis. aReprinted with permission from AJCC: Perihilar Bile Ducts. In: Amin MB, Edge SB, Greene FL, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 8th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2017, pp. 311–6. II T2a–b, N0, M0 T2 = Tumor invades beyond the wall of the bile duct to surrounding adipose tissue, or tumor invades adjacent hepatic parenchyma. –T2a = Tumor invades beyond the wall of the bile duct to surrounding adipose tissue. –T2b = Tumor invades adjacent hepatic parenchyma. N0 = No regional lymph node metastasis. M0 = No distant metastasis. Table 9. Definitions of TNM Stage III Perihilar Bile Duct Cancera Stage TNM Description T = primary tumor; N = regional lymph node; M = distant metastasis. aReprinted with permission from AJCC: Perihilar Bile Ducts. In: Amin MB, Edge SB, Greene FL, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 8th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2017, pp. 311–6. III IIIA T3, N0, M0 T3 = Tumor invades unilateral branches of the portal vein or hepatic artery. N0 = No regional lymph node metastasis. M0 = No distant metastasis. IIIB T4, N0, M0 T4 = Tumor invades the main portal vein or its branches bilaterally, or the common hepatic artery; or unilateral second-order biliary radicals with contralateral portal vein or hepatic artery involvement. N0 = No regional lymph node metastasis. M0 = No distant metastasis. IIIC Any T, N1, M0 TX = Primary tumor cannot be assessed. T0 = No evidence of primary tumor. Tis = Carcinoma in situ/high-grade dysplasia. T1 = Tumor confined to the bile duct, with extension up to the muscle layer or fibrous tissue. T2 = Tumor invades beyond the wall of the bile duct to surrounding adipose tissue, or tumor invades adjacent hepatic parenchyma. –T2a = Tumor invades beyond the wall of the bile duct to surrounding adipose tissue. –T2b = Tumor invades adjacent hepatic parenchyma. T3 = Tumor invades unilateral branches of the portal vein or hepatic artery. T4 = Tumor invades the main portal vein or its branches bilaterally, or the common hepatic artery; or unilateral second-order biliary radicals with contralateral portal vein or hepatic artery involvement. N1 = One to three positive lymph nodes typically involving the hilar, cystic duct, common bile duct, hepatic artery, posterior pancreatoduodenal, and portal vein lymph nodes. M0 = No distant metastasis. Table 10. Definitions of TNM Stage IV Perihilar Bile Duct Cancera Stage TNM Description T = primary tumor; N = regional lymph node; M = distant metastasis. aReprinted with permission from AJCC: Perihilar Bile Ducts. In: Amin MB, Edge SB, Greene FL, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 8th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2017, pp. 311–6. IV IVA Any T, N2, M0 TX = Primary tumor cannot be assessed. T0 = No evidence of primary tumor. Tis = Carcinoma in situ/high-grade dysplasia. T1 = Tumor confined to the bile duct, with extension up to the muscle layer or fibrous tissue. T2 = Tumor invades beyond the wall of the bile duct to surrounding adipose tissue, or tumor invades adjacent hepatic parenchyma. –T2a = Tumor invades beyond the wall of the bile duct to surround adipose tissue. –T2b = Tumor invades adjacent hepatic parenchyma. T3 = Tumor invades unilateral branches of the portal vein or hepatic artery. T4 = Tumor invades the main portal vein or its branches bilaterally, or the common hepatic artery; or unilateral second-order biliary radicals with contralateral portal vein or hepatic artery involvement. N2 = Four or more positive lymph nodes from the sites described for N1. M0 = No distant metastasis. IVB Any T, Any N, M1 TX = Primary tumor cannot be assessed. T0 = No evidence of primary tumor. Tis = Carcinoma in situ/high-grade dysplasia. T1 = Tumor confined to the bile duct, with extension up to the muscle layer or fibrous tissue. T2 = Tumor invades beyond the wall of the bile duct to surrounding adipose tissue, or tumor invades adjacent hepatic parenchyma. –T2a = Tumor invades beyond the wall of the bile duct to surround adipose tissue. –T2b = Tumor invades adjacent hepatic parenchyma. T3 = Tumor invades unilateral branches of the portal vein or hepatic artery. T4 = Tumor invades the main portal vein or its branches bilaterally, or the common hepatic artery; or unilateral second-order biliary radicals with contralateral portal vein or hepatic artery involvement. NX = Regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed. N0 = No regional lymph node metastasis. N1 = One to three positive lymph nodes typically involving the hilar, cystic duct, common bile duct, hepatic artery, posterior pancreatoduodenal, and portal vein lymph nodes. N2 = Four or more positive lymph nodes from the sites described for N1. M1 = Distant metastasis. AJCC staging system for distal bile duct cancer
The AJCC has designated staging by TNM classification to define distal bile duct cancer.[ 3 ] Stages defined by TNM classification apply to all primary carcinomas arising in the distal bile duct or in the cystic duct; these stages do not apply to perihilar or intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas, sarcomas, or carcinoid tumors.
Tables 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 pertain to the distal bile duct cancer stages.
Table 11. Definitions of TNM Stage 0 Distal Bile Duct Cancera Stage TNM Definition T = primary tumor; N = regional lymph node; M = distant metastasis. aReprinted with permission from AJCC: Distal Bile Duct. In: Amin MB, Edge SB, Greene FL, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 8th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2017, pp. 317–325. 0 Tis, N0, M0 Tis = Carcinoma in situ/high-grade dysplasia. N0 = No regional lymph node metastasis. M0 = No distant metastasis. Table 12. Definitions of TNM Stage I Distal Bile Duct Cancera Stage TNM Definition T = primary tumor; N = regional lymph node; M = distant metastasis. aReprinted with permission from AJCC: Distal Bile Duct. In: Amin MB, Edge SB, Greene FL, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 8th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2017, pp. 317–325. I T1, N0, M0 T1 = Tumor invades the bile duct wall with a depth <5 mm. N0 = No regional lymph node metastasis. M0 = No distant metastasis. Table 13. Definitions of TNM IIA Distal Bile Duct Cancera Stage TNM Definition T = primary tumor; N = regional lymph node; M = distant metastasis. aReprinted with permission from AJCC: Distal Bile Duct. In: Amin MB, Edge SB, Greene FL, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 8th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2017, pp. 317–325. II IIA T1, N1, M0 T1 = Tumor invades the bile duct wall with a depth <5 mm. N1 = Metastasis in one to three regional lymph nodes. M0 = No distant metastasis. T2, N0, M0 Tumor invades the bile duct wall with a depth of 5–12 mm. N0 = No regional lymph node metastasis. M0 = No distant metastasis. IIB T2, N1, M0 T2 = Tumor invades the bile duct wall with a depth of 5–12 mm. N1 = Metastasis in one to three regional lymph nodes. M0 = No distant metastasis. T3, N0, M0 T3 = Tumor invades the bile duct wall with a depth >12 mm. N0 = No regional lymph node metastasis. M0 = No distant metastasis. T3, N1, M0 T3 = Tumor invades the bile duct wall with a depth >12 mm. N1 = Metastasis in one to three regional lymph nodes. M0 = No distant metastasis. Table 14. Definitions of TNM Stage IIIA Distal Bile Duct Cancer Stage TNM Definition T = primary tumor; N = regional lymph node; M = distant metastasis. aReprinted with permission from AJCC: Distal Bile Duct. In: Amin MB, Edge SB, Greene FL, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 8th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2017, pp. 317–325. III IIIA T1, N2, M0 T1 = Tumor invades the bile duct wall with a depth <5 mm. N2 = Metastasis in four or more regional lymph nodes. M0 = No distant metastasis. T2, N2, M0 T2 = Tumor invades the bile duct wall with a depth of 5–12 mm. N2 = Metastasis in four or more regional lymph nodes. M0 = No distant metastasis. T3, N2, M0 T3 = Tumor invades the bile duct wall with a depth >12 mm. N2 = Metastasis in four or more regional lymph nodes. M0 = No distant metastasis. IIIB T4, N0, M0 T4 = Tumor involves the celiac axis, superior mesenteric artery, and/or common hepatic artery. N0 = No regional lymph node metastasis. M0 = No distant metastasis. T4, N1, M0 T4 = Tumor involves the celiac axis, superior mesenteric artery, and/or common hepatic artery. N1 = Metastasis in one to three regional lymph nodes. M0 = No distant metastasis. T4, N2, M0 T4 = Tumor involves the celiac axis, superior mesenteric artery, and/or common hepatic artery. N2 = Metastasis in four or more regional lymph nodes. M0 = No distant metastasis. Table 15. Definitions of TNM Stage IV Distal Bile Duct Cancera Stage TNM Definition T = primary tumor; N = regional lymph node; M = distant metastasis. aReprinted with permission from AJCC: Distal Bile Duct. In: Amin MB, Edge SB, Greene FL, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 8th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2017, pp. 317–325. IV Any T, Any N, M1 TX = Primary tumor cannot be assessed. TIS = Carcinoma in situ/high-grade dysplasia. T1 = Tumor invades the bile duct wall with a depth <5 mm. T2 = Tumor invades the bile duct wall with a depth of 5–12 mm. T3 = Tumor invades the bile duct wall with a depth >12 mm. T4 = Tumor involves the celiac axis, superior mesenteric artery, and/or common hepatic artery. NX = Regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed. N0 = No regional lymph node metastasis. N1 = Metastasis in one to three regional lymph nodes. N2 = Metastasis in four or more regional lymph nodes. M1 = Distant metastasis. 参考文献- Intrahepatic Bile Ducts. In: Amin MB, Edge SB, Greene FL, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 8th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2017, pp. 295–302.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Perihilar Bile Ducts. In: Amin MB, Edge SB, Greene FL, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 8th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2017, pp. 311–6.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Distal bile duct. In: Amin MB, Edge SB, Greene FL, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 8th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2017, pp. 317–25.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Treatment Option Overview for Bile Duct Cancer
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The treatment of bile duct cancer depends primarily on whether the cancer can be completely removed by surgery.
Resectable (Localized) Bile Duct Cancer
Localized intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct cancer may be completely removed by surgery. These tumors represent a very small number of cases that are usually in the distal common bile duct. Among patients treated with surgical resection, long-term prognosis varies depending on primary tumor extent, margin status, lymph node involvement, and additional pathologic features.[ 1 ][ 2 ]
Extended resections of hepatic duct bifurcation tumors (Klatskin tumors, also known as hilar tumors) to include adjacent liver, either by lobectomy or removal of portions of segments 4 and 5 of the liver, may be performed. If major hepatic resection is necessary to achieve a complete resection, postoperative hepatic reserve should be evaluated. For patients with underlying cirrhosis, the Child-Pugh class and the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score are determined.
Unresectable (Including Metastatic and Recurrent) Bile Duct Cancer
Most cases of intrahepatic, distal, and perihilar bile duct cancer are unresectable and cannot be completely removed by the surgeon. Often the cancer invades directly into the portal vein, the adjacent liver, along the common bile duct, and to adjacent lymph nodes. Portal hypertension may result from invasion of the portal vein. Spread to distant parts of the body is uncommon, but intra-abdominal metastases, particularly peritoneal metastases, do occur. Transperitoneal and hematogenous hepatic metastases also occur with bile duct cancer of all sites. Moreover, most patients who undergo resection will develop recurrent disease within the hepatobiliary system or, less frequently, at distant sites.
In locally advanced disease, phase II trials have evaluated chemoradiotherapy with the goal of improved local control and potential downstaging for surgical resection.[ 3 ][ 4 ] These approaches have not been compared with standard therapy, and the curative potential is unknown.
For patients with unresectable bile duct cancer, management is directed at palliation.
Treatment options for bile duct cancer are described in Table 16.
Table 16. Treatment Options for Bile Duct Cancer Staging Criteria Treatment Options Resectable (Localized) Bile Duct Cancer Surgery Adjuvant therapy Unresectable (Including Metastatic and Recurrent) Bile Duct Cancer Palliative therapy Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Targeted therapy 参考文献- Nagorney DM, Donohue JH, Farnell MB, et al.: Outcomes after curative resections of cholangiocarcinoma. Arch Surg 128 (8): 871-7; discussion 877-9, 1993.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Washburn WK, Lewis WD, Jenkins RL: Aggressive surgical resection for cholangiocarcinoma. Arch Surg 130 (3): 270-6, 1995.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Edeline J, Touchefeu Y, Guiu B, et al.: Radioembolization Plus Chemotherapy for First-line Treatment of Locally Advanced Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: A Phase 2 Clinical Trial. JAMA Oncol : , 2019.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Cercek A, Boerner T, Tan BR, et al.: Assessment of Hepatic Arterial Infusion of Floxuridine in Combination With Systemic Gemcitabine and Oxaliplatin in Patients With Unresectable Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: A Phase 2 Clinical Trial. JAMA Oncol : , 2019.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Resectable (Localized) Bile Duct Cancer Treatment
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Standard treatment options for resectable (localized) bile duct cancer include the following:
Surgery
Intrahepatic bile duct cancer
For intrahepatic bile duct cancers, hepatic resection to achieve negative margins is potentially curative. If a major liver resection is necessary to achieve negative surgical margins, preoperative portal vein embolization may be considered to optimize the volume of the remnant liver.
Partial liver resection or partial hepatectomy to achieve negative margins is a procedure with curative intent for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.[ 1 ] The extent of liver resection necessary is dependent on the extent of hepatic parenchymal involvement and the proximity of the tumor to major blood vessels in this region.
The role of routine portal lymphadenectomy has not been well established because of the risk of common bile duct devascularization.
Perihilar bile duct cancer
For perihilar cholangiocarcinomas (Klatskin tumors), bile duct resection alone leads to high local recurrence rates resulting from the early confluence of the hepatic ducts and the caudate lobe. The addition of partial hepatectomy that includes the caudate lobe has improved long-term outcomes, but may be associated with increased postoperative complications.[ 2 ] With this aggressive surgical approach, 5-year survival rates of 20% to 50% have been reported.[ 3 ] An understanding of both the normal and varied vascular and ductal anatomy of the porta hepatis has increased the number of hepatic duct bifurcation tumors that can be resected.
The primary site of relapse after surgical resection is local; however, distant recurrence is also frequently reported.[ 4 ]
The optimal surgical procedure for carcinoma of the perihilar bile duct varies according to the location of the tumor along the biliary tree, the extent of hepatic parenchymal involvement, and the proximity of the tumor to major blood vessels in this region. The state of the regional lymph nodes is assessed at the time of surgery because of their prognostic significance. Operations for bile duct cancer are usually extensive; a historical cohort reported an operative mortality rate of approximately 10%, along with roughly 40% risk of disease recurrence.[ 5 ]
In jaundiced patients, the role of percutaneous transhepatic catheter drainage or endoscopic placement of a stent for relief of biliary obstruction is controversial because of inconsistent findings of significant clinical benefit and concerns of increased risk of postoperative complications.[ 6 ] However, percutaneous transhepatic catheter drainage or endoscopic placement of a stent for relief of biliary obstruction may be considered before surgery, particularly if jaundice is severe or an element of azotemia is present.[ 7 ][ 8 ]
Distal bile duct cancer
Complete surgical resection with negative surgical margins offers the only chance of cure for distal bile duct cancers. Bile duct tumors can be difficult to resect because of their proximity to major blood vessels and diffuse infiltration of adjacent bile ducts. Total resection is possible in 25% to 30% of lesions that originate in the distal bile duct; the resectability rate is lower for lesions that occur in more proximal sites.[ 9 ]
The optimum surgical procedure for carcinoma of the distal bile duct will vary according to the location of the tumor along the biliary tree, the extent of hepatic parenchymal involvement, and the proximity of the tumor to major blood vessels in this region. The regional lymph nodes are assessed at the time of surgery because they have prognostic significance. Patients with cancer of the lower end of the duct and regional lymph node involvement may warrant an extensive resection (Whipple procedure). The 5-year outcomes range between 20% and 50%.[ 10 ][ 11 ] Bypass operations or endoluminal stents are alternatives if intraoperatively the tumor is found to be unresectable.[ 10 ][ 11 ]
In jaundiced patients, the role of percutaneous transhepatic catheter drainage or endoscopic placement of a stent for relief of biliary obstruction is controversial, but may be considered before surgery, particularly if jaundice is severe or an element of azotemia is present.[ 7 ][ 8 ]
Adjuvant therapy
Chemotherapy
Numerous retrospective series have suggested that adjuvant chemotherapy after complete surgical resection may be beneficial.[ 12 ][ 13 ][Level of evidence: 3iiiDiii] However, prospective randomized trials have failed to show a significant benefit in overall survival (OS).
Evidence (chemotherapy):
- A multicenter phase III study in the United Kingdom (BILCAP) randomly assigned 447 patients with cholangiocarcinoma or muscle-invasive gallbladder cancer who underwent a macroscopically complete resection with curative intent to eight cycles of capecitabine (1,250 mg/m2 twice a day on days 1−14 of a 21-day cycle) or observation.[ 14 ][Level of evidence: 1iiD] At a median follow-up of 60 months, the following were observed:
- A French multicenter phase III study (PRODIGE 12-ACCORD 18-UNICANCER GI) randomly assigned 196 patients with R0 or R1 resection of localized biliary tract cancer to 12 cycles of adjuvant gemcitabine plus oxaliplatin (GEMOX) or surveillance.[ 15 ][Level of evidence: 1iiD] After a median follow-up of 46.5 months:
- The Bile Duct Cancer Adjuvant Trial (BCAT), a Japanese multicenter phase III study, randomized 225 patients with resected bile duct cancer to six cycles of adjuvant gemcitabine or observation.[ 16 ][Level of evidence: 1iiD]
- The European Study Group for Pancreatic Cancer (ESPAC-3 [NCT00058201]) trial randomly assigned 428 patients with periampullary cancer, which included 96 patients with bile duct cancers, to observation, 6 months of fluorouracil (5-FU)/leucovorin, or 6 months of gemcitabine.[ 17 ][Level of evidence: 1iiD]
- A multi-institutional Japanese study compared surgery alone with mitomycin-C and infusional 5-FU followed by 5-FU until disease progression.[ 18 ][Level of evidence: 1iiD]
On the basis of these trials, there is no consistent trend in favor of adjuvant therapy in either RFS or OS.
(Refer to the Unresectable [Including Metastatic and Recurrent] Bile Duct Cancer Treatment section of this summary for a list of regimens with potential activity.)
External beam radiation therapy (EBRT)
Numerous retrospective studies have suggested that adding EBRT after complete surgical resection may be beneficial.[ 19 ][ 20 ][Level of evidence: 1iiA] However, no prospective randomized trials have demonstrated an OS benefit.
Evidence (EBRT):
- One small randomized trial of 207 patients with pancreatic and periampullary cancers demonstrated no survival benefit of adding chemoradiation therapy after surgery. This study is limited, however, because only a few patients had a diagnosis of bile duct cancer, and 20% of the patients randomly assigned to receive chemoradiation therapy did not receive treatment.[ 21 ][Level of evidence: 3iiiDiv]
- A phase II cooperative group trial, SWOG S0809 (NCT00789958), evaluated adjuvant capecitabine and gemcitabine followed by chemoradiation therapy for resected extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer. In total, 79 eligible patients with pT2 to pT4 disease, node-positive disease, or positive-margin resection were enrolled (extrahepatic bile duct cancer, n = 54; gallbladder cancer, n = 25).[ 22 ][Level of evidence: 3iiiD]
All patients are encouraged to enroll in clinical trials for adjuvant therapies. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI website.
Current Clinical Trials
Use our advanced clinical trial search to find NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are now enrolling patients. The search can be narrowed by location of the trial, type of treatment, name of the drug, and other criteria. General information about clinical trials is also available.
参考文献- Dodson RM, Weiss MJ, Cosgrove D, et al.: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: management options and emerging therapies. J Am Coll Surg 217 (4): 736-750.e4, 2013.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Burke EC, Jarnagin WR, Hochwald SN, et al.: Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma: patterns of spread, the importance of hepatic resection for curative operation, and a presurgical clinical staging system. Ann Surg 228 (3): 385-94, 1998.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Nakeeb A, Tran KQ, Black MJ, et al.: Improved survival in resected biliary malignancies. Surgery 132 (4): 555-63; discussion 563-4, 2002.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Hasegawa S, Ikai I, Fujii H, et al.: Surgical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma: analysis of survival and postoperative complications. World J Surg 31 (6): 1256-63, 2007.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Loehrer AP, House MG, Nakeeb A, et al.: Cholangiocarcinoma: are North American surgical outcomes optimal? J Am Coll Surg 216 (2): 192-200, 2013.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Liu F, Li Y, Wei Y, et al.: Preoperative biliary drainage before resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma: whether or not? A systematic review. Dig Dis Sci 56 (3): 663-72, 2011.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Nimura Y: Preoperative biliary drainage before resection for cholangiocarcinoma (Pro). HPB (Oxford) 10 (2): 130-3, 2008.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Laurent A, Tayar C, Cherqui D: Cholangiocarcinoma: preoperative biliary drainage (Con). HPB (Oxford) 10 (2): 126-9, 2008.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Stain SC, Baer HU, Dennison AR, et al.: Current management of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Surg Gynecol Obstet 175 (6): 579-88, 1992.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Fong Y, Blumgart LH, Lin E, et al.: Outcome of treatment for distal bile duct cancer. Br J Surg 83 (12): 1712-5, 1996.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Bortolasi L, Burgart LJ, Tsiotos GG, et al.: Adenocarcinoma of the distal bile duct. A clinicopathologic outcome analysis after curative resection. Dig Surg 17 (1): 36-41, 2000.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Todoroki T: Chemotherapy for bile duct carcinoma in the light of adjuvant chemotherapy to surgery. Hepatogastroenterology 47 (33): 644-9, 2000 May-Jun.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Murakami Y, Uemura K, Sudo T, et al.: Adjuvant gemcitabine plus S-1 chemotherapy improves survival after aggressive surgical resection for advanced biliary carcinoma. Ann Surg 250 (6): 950-6, 2009.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Primrose JN, Fox RP, Palmer DH, et al.: Capecitabine compared with observation in resected biliary tract cancer (BILCAP): a randomised, controlled, multicentre, phase 3 study. Lancet Oncol 20 (5): 663-673, 2019.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Edeline J, Benabdelghani M, Bertaut A, et al.: Gemcitabine and Oxaliplatin Chemotherapy or Surveillance in Resected Biliary Tract Cancer (PRODIGE 12-ACCORD 18-UNICANCER GI): A Randomized Phase III Study. J Clin Oncol 37 (8): 658-667, 2019.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Ebata T, Hirano S, Konishi M, et al.: Randomized clinical trial of adjuvant gemcitabine chemotherapy versus observation in resected bile duct cancer. Br J Surg 105 (3): 192-202, 2018.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Neoptolemos JP, Moore MJ, Cox TF, et al.: Effect of adjuvant chemotherapy with fluorouracil plus folinic acid or gemcitabine vs observation on survival in patients with resected periampullary adenocarcinoma: the ESPAC-3 periampullary cancer randomized trial. JAMA 308 (2): 147-56, 2012.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Takada T, Amano H, Yasuda H, et al.: Is postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy useful for gallbladder carcinoma? A phase III multicenter prospective randomized controlled trial in patients with resected pancreaticobiliary carcinoma. Cancer 95 (8): 1685-95, 2002.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Kim TH, Han SS, Park SJ, et al.: Role of adjuvant chemoradiotherapy for resected extrahepatic biliary tract cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 81 (5): e853-9, 2011.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Hughes MA, Frassica DA, Yeo CJ, et al.: Adjuvant concurrent chemoradiation for adenocarcinoma of the distal common bile duct. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 68 (1): 178-82, 2007.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Klinkenbijl JH, Jeekel J, Sahmoud T, et al.: Adjuvant radiotherapy and 5-fluorouracil after curative resection of cancer of the pancreas and periampullary region: phase III trial of the EORTC gastrointestinal tract cancer cooperative group. Ann Surg 230 (6): 776-82; discussion 782-4, 1999.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Ben-Josef E, Guthrie KA, El-Khoueiry AB, et al.: SWOG S0809: A Phase II Intergroup Trial of Adjuvant Capecitabine and Gemcitabine Followed by Radiotherapy and Concurrent Capecitabine in Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma and Gallbladder Carcinoma. J Clin Oncol 33 (24): 2617-22, 2015.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Unresectable (Including Metastatic and Recurrent) Bile Duct Cancer Treatment
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Standard treatment options for unresectable (including metastatic and recurrent) bile duct cancer include the following:
Palliative therapy
Relief of biliary obstruction is warranted when symptoms such as pruritus and hepatic dysfunction outweigh other symptoms of the cancer. When possible, such palliation can be achieved with the placement of bile duct stents by operative, endoscopic, or percutaneous techniques.[ 1 ][ 2 ]
Palliative radiation therapy may be beneficial, and patients may be candidates for stereotactic body radiation therapy [ 3 ] and intra-arterial embolization.[ 4 ]
Chemotherapy
Systemic chemotherapy is appropriate for selected patients with adequate performance status and intact organ function. The following agents have been reported to produce transient partial remissions in a minority of patients:
Evidence (chemotherapy):
- A phase III study (NCT00262769) randomly assigned 410 patients with unresectable, recurrent, or metastatic biliary tract carcinoma to receive cisplatin followed by gemcitabine or to receive gemcitabine alone for up to 6 months and observed the following:[ 5 ][Level of evidence: 1iiA]
- A phase III noninferiority study (NCT01470443) enrolled 114 patients with metastatic biliary tract cancers, including 30 (26%) with primary gallbladder cancer. Patients were randomly assigned to receive capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (XELOX) or gemcitabine plus oxaliplatin (GEMOX).[ 6 ][Level of evidence: 1iiD]
Pending further clinical trials, cisplatin plus gemcitabine is considered the reference standard for patients with unresectable, metastatic, or recurrent bile duct cancer. Potential alternatives include gemcitabine plus capecitabine, GEMOX, and XELOX. Clinical trials should be considered for all patients.
Immunotherapy
All patients with unresectable, metastatic, or recurrent disease should have molecular testing for deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) or microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H). Extrapolating from a subgroup of patients with gastrointestinal and hepatopancreatobiliary tumors in the I-PREDICT (NCT02534675) and KEYNOTE-158 (NCT02628067) studies, patients with either dMMR or MSI-H tumors can be considered for treatment with pembrolizumab.[ 7 ][ 8 ][Level of evidence: 3iiiDiv]
Targeted therapy
Clinical trials of investigational therapies should be considered for patients with targetable mutations.
Evidence (targeted therapy):
- IDH1 inhibitor: Up to 15% of bile duct cancers express a mutation in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1). The phase III ClarIDHy (NCT02989857) trial, reported in abstract form, randomly assigned 185 patients with IDH1-mutated cholangiocarcinoma to the IDH1 inhibitor ivosidenib or placebo and observed the following:[
9
][Level of evidence: 1iDiii]
Patients with IDH1-mutated disease should be encouraged to enroll in a clinical trial.
- Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) inhibitors: FGFR2 fusions are present in approximately 15% of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Multiple phase II trials, some reported in abstract form, have suggested activity of FGFR inhibitors in cholangiocarcinoma patients with FGFR2 fusions who progressed after or were ineligible for first-line chemotherapy.[
10
][
11
][
12
][
13
]
In April 2020, the FDA granted accelerated approval for pemigatinib in the treatment of adults with previously treated unresectable or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with FGFR2 fusion or other rearrangement. The multicenter, open-label, single-arm phase II FIGHT-202 (NCT02924376) trial enrolled 107 patients with progression of disease on or after at least one previous therapy. All patients received pemigatinib 13.5 mg orally once daily for 14 consecutive days, followed by 7 days off therapy.[ 12 ][Level of evidence: 3iiiDiv]
Patients with FGFR2 fusion−positive disease should be encouraged to enroll in a clinical trial.
All patients are encouraged to enroll in clinical trials for adjuvant therapies. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI website.
Current Clinical Trials
Use our advanced clinical trial search to find NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are now enrolling patients. The search can be narrowed by location of the trial, type of treatment, name of the drug, and other criteria. General information about clinical trials is also available.
参考文献- Nordback IH, Pitt HA, Coleman J, et al.: Unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma: percutaneous versus operative palliation. Surgery 115 (5): 597-603, 1994.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Levy MJ, Baron TH, Gostout CJ, et al.: Palliation of malignant extrahepatic biliary obstruction with plastic versus expandable metal stents: An evidence-based approach. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2 (4): 273-85, 2004.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Barney BM, Olivier KR, Miller RC, et al.: Clinical outcomes and toxicity using stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for advanced cholangiocarcinoma. Radiat Oncol 7: 67, 2012.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Hyder O, Marsh JW, Salem R, et al.: Intra-arterial therapy for advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a multi-institutional analysis. Ann Surg Oncol 20 (12): 3779-86, 2013.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Valle J, Wasan H, Palmer DH, et al.: Cisplatin plus gemcitabine versus gemcitabine for biliary tract cancer. N Engl J Med 362 (14): 1273-81, 2010.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Kim ST, Kang JH, Lee J, et al.: Capecitabine plus oxaliplatin versus gemcitabine plus oxaliplatin as first-line therapy for advanced biliary tract cancers: a multicenter, open-label, randomized, phase III, noninferiority trial. Ann Oncol 30 (5): 788-795, 2019.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Sicklick JK, Kato S, Okamura R, et al.: Molecular profiling of cancer patients enables personalized combination therapy: the I-PREDICT study. Nat Med 25 (5): 744-750, 2019.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Marabelle A, Le DT, Ascierto PA, et al.: Efficacy of Pembrolizumab in Patients With Noncolorectal High Microsatellite Instability/Mismatch Repair-Deficient Cancer: Results From the Phase II KEYNOTE-158 Study. J Clin Oncol 38 (1): 1-10, 2020.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Abou-Alfa GK, Macarulla Mercade T, Javle M, et al.: ClarlDHy: a global, phase III, randomized, double-blind study of ivosidenib (IVO) vs placebo in patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma (CC) with an isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutation. [Abstract] Ann Oncol 30 (Suppl 5): A-LBA10_PR, 2019.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Javle M, Lowery M, Shroff RT, et al.: Phase II Study of BGJ398 in Patients With FGFR-Altered Advanced Cholangiocarcinoma. J Clin Oncol 36 (3): 276-282, 2018.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Mazzaferro V, El-Rayes BF, Droz Dit Busset M, et al.: Derazantinib (ARQ 087) in advanced or inoperable FGFR2 gene fusion-positive intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Br J Cancer 120 (2): 165-171, 2019.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Vogel A, Sahai V, Hollebecque A, et al.: FIGHT-202: a phase II study of pemigatinib in patients (pts) with previously locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). [Abstract] Ann Oncol 30 (Suppl 5): A-LBA40, 2019.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Droz Dit Busset M, Braun S, El-Rayes B, et al.: Efficacy of derazantinib (DZB) in patients (pts) with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICCA) expressing FGFR2-fusion or FGFR2 mutations/amplifications. [Abstract] Ann Oncol 30 (Suppl 5): A-721P, 2019.[PUBMED Abstract]
- Changes to This Summary (04/23/2020)
-
The PDQ cancer information summaries are reviewed regularly and updated as new information becomes available. This section describes the latest changes made to this summary as of the date above.
Unresectable (Including Metastatic and Recurrent) Bile Duct Cancer Treatment
Added text about the multicenter, open-label, single-arm phase II FIGHT-202 (NCT02924376) trial on which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval for pemigatinib in the treatment of adults with previously treated unresectable or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with FGFR2 fusion or other rearrangement.
This summary is written and maintained by the PDQ Adult Treatment Editorial Board, which is editorially independent of NCI. The summary reflects an independent review of the literature and does not represent a policy statement of NCI or NIH. More information about summary policies and the role of the PDQ Editorial Boards in maintaining the PDQ summaries can be found on the About This PDQ Summary and PDQ® - NCI's Comprehensive Cancer Database pages.
- About This PDQ Summary
-
Purpose of This Summary
This PDQ cancer information summary for health professionals provides comprehensive, peer-reviewed, evidence-based information about the treatment of bile duct cancer. It is intended as a resource to inform and assist clinicians who care for cancer patients. It does not provide formal guidelines or recommendations for making health care decisions.
Reviewers and Updates
This summary is reviewed regularly and updated as necessary by the PDQ Adult Treatment Editorial Board, which is editorially independent of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The summary reflects an independent review of the literature and does not represent a policy statement of NCI or the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Board members review recently published articles each month to determine whether an article should:
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The preferred citation for this PDQ summary is:
PDQ® Adult Treatment Editorial Board. PDQ Bile Duct Cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma) Treatment. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute. Updated <MM/DD/YYYY>. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/liver/hp/bile-duct-treatment-pdq. Accessed <MM/DD/YYYY>. [PMID: 26389308]
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