PURPOSE: Although a portal vein resection (PVR) can increase the chance for a successful curative resection, there is debate concerning the balance between the risk of the procedure and the effect on survival in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Therefore, we performed a retrospective study to determine the safety and survival after PVR for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS: We analyzed the cumulative survival rate and the associated clinical factors in 301 patients undergoing surgical intervention between June 1989 and June 2005. We divided 259 patients undergoing resection into two groups (51 PVR+ and 208 PVR-) and compared the survival and clinicopathological data. RESULTS: The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rate of 186 patients undergoing curative resection was 83.3, 42.0 and 29.3%, respectively. The Bismuth-Corlette type IV, the infiltrative type, presence of perineural invasion, lymphovascular tumor emboli and lymph node metastases were more frequent in the PVR+ group. The survival rate was significantly lower in the PVR+ group but seven patients have survived for more than 5 years. Five (9.8%) operative mortalities occurred. However, the mortality directly related to the PVR was present in only one case. The morbidity and postoperative liver function were not different in comparisons between the two groups. In the PVR+ group, tumor invasion into the portal vein was observed in 28 of 51 patients. The tumor invasion on pathological examination did not affect survival in the PVR+ group. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that PVR in combination with hepatectomy, for hilar cholangiocarcinoma, could be performed with acceptable safety. Although the PVR has a negative impact on survival, a hepatectomy combined with a PVR can offer long-term survival to a few patients with advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma.
Cholangiocarcinoma* ; Hepatectomy* ; Humans ; Klatskin's Tumor ; Liver ; Lymph Nodes ; Mortality ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Portal Vein* ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

PURPOSE: Although curative resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCC) remains a difficult challenge, only curative resection with tumor free margins can guarantee a favorable outcome. In this report, we retrospectively analyzed the survival data after surgical resection of HCCC to determine the survival rate and the related factors at a single, large-volume medical institute. METHODS: Between June 1989 and June 2005, surgical intervention with curative intent was performed on 301 patients. We retrospectively analyzed the survival data via a review of the medical record. RESULTS: Among the 259 cases of resection, curative (R0) resection with tumor-free margins was achieved in 186 cases (71.8%). Of these 186 cases, 177 patients underwent various types of hepatectomy with caudate lobectomy and bile duct resection. Combined pancreatoduodenectomy was performed in 19 patients and portal vein resection was performed in 51 patients. In-hospital mortality developed in 11(4.3%) of the 259 patients who underwent resection. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates of patients who underwent R0 resection were 83.3, 42.0 and 29.3%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that curability, T stage, lymph node involvement, histologic differentiation and perineural invasion were associated with patient survival. Multivariate analysis showed that curability and lymph node involvement were statistically significant prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: Tumor-positive margins and lymph node involvement resulted in poor outcomes. Intensive perioperative management and a surgeon's aggressive efforts to attain clearance of tumor can minimize the postoperative mortality and maximize survival for patients with HCCC.
Bile Ducts ; Cholangiocarcinoma* ; Hepatectomy ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Klatskin's Tumor ; Lymph Nodes ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Portal Vein ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate