[Radical surgery for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (Klatskin tumor)]

Abstract

In patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma, long-term survival critically depends on complete tumor resection. Indeed, there are no long-term survivors with positive resection margins. Furthermore, hilar cholangiocarcinoma seems to have a low propensity for distant metastases and adjuvant therapy after surgery has not been shown to have clear clinical benefits. This evidence should be regarded as arguments for extended resections. The question remains of how to achieve an R0 resection. In the last few years greater use of major hepatectomy has increased resectability and has improved long-term results. Concomitant resection of the caudate lobe is recommended as this site is a prime area of local recurrence. Frozen sections should be routinely used to assess the remnant proximal and distal ductal stumps. However, if the proximal remnant is positive, additional ductal resection at the separating limits is not always feasible. Gross portal vein invasion has a negative impact on survival, but should not be a contraindication to resection. Hepatectomy with portal vein resection can offer long-term survival in some patients with advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma. The incidence of nodal involvement in resected specimens has been reported to range from 30% to more than 50% and there is a correlation between primary tumor extension and nodal involvement. Lymphatic metastases from hilar cholangiocarcinoma appear to spread first to pericholedochal nodes in the hepatoduodenal ligament and then to spread widely toward the posteriorsuperior area around the pancreatic head, portal vein and common hepatic artery. Routine lymphadenectomy should include all these areas. The only factors precluding resection are involvement of celiac, superior mesenteric or para-aortic tumoral nodes. Survival is closely associated with the extent of nodal involvement. The no-touch technique including right trisegmentectomy combined with portal vein resection has been proposed as the surgical procedure of choice for a more radical approach, and as a measure to prevent dissemination of tumor cells during surgery.