Hilar cholangiocarcinoma – the long-term results of radical and palliative treatment

Introduction. Hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HC) is a tumor that requires a multidisciplinary approach and treatment. The 3- and 5-year survival rates of HC patients treated with surgery and palliative methods were evaluated in the study. Material and methods. The study covered 368 patients treated between 2000–2014. Of them, 137 patients were ca­tegorized for surgery (RT group), and 231 for palliative treatment (PT group). The overall 3- and 5-year survival rates were determined by the log-rank test. The Cox hazard regression model revealed the relative prognostic factors. Results. The 3- and 5-year survival rates accounted for 38% and 21% after surgery, but 13% and 0 after palliative treatment (p < 0.0001). Radical tumor resection, negative lymph nodes, and early tumor T stage were the factors conducive to survival. Conclusions. Surgery, if the radical tumor resection is possible, offers a chance for long-term survival. The effects of surgical treatment are of little consequence in the face of poor treatment outcomes of palliative patients, however