Locoregional Therapy for Cholangiocarcinoma

Hepatic resection and transplantation are the only potentially curative options for cholangiocarcinoma.1,2 Unfortunately, only approximately 30% of patients are considered surgical candidates at the time of diagnosis and the overall 5-year survival rates range from 33 to 65%.3 Given the dismal outcomes of systemic chemotherapy, other therapeutic options may have a potential role for patients with unresectable, recurrent, or metastatic disease.4,5 Thermal ablation or embolization may offer therapeutic options in selected patients with limited disease. Emerging early data suggest that by using principles of therapy used to treat other hepatic diseases, minimally invasive options may have a role in the treatment of selected cases of cholangiocarcinoma.6 This review explores emerging technologies and their potential role in treating cholangiocarcinoma.