Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: Current status of endoscopic approach and additional therapies

World J Hepatol. 2021 Feb 27;13(2):166-186. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v13.i2.166.ABSTRACTThe prognosis of patients with advanced or unresectable extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is poor. More than 50% of patients with jaundice are inoperable at the time of first diagnosis. Endoscopic treatment in patients with obstructive jaundice ensures bile duct drainage in preoperative or palliative settings. Relief of symptoms (pain, pruritus, jaundice) and improvement in quality of life are the aims of palliative therapy. Stent implantation by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is generally preferred for long-term palliation. There is a vast variety of plastic and metal stents, covered or uncovered. The stent choice depends on the expected length of survival, quality of life, costs and physician expertise. This review will provide the framework for the endoscopic minimally invasive therapy in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Moreover, additional therapies, such as brachytherapy, photodynamic therapy, radiofrequency ablation, chemotherapy, molecular-targeted therapy and/or immunotherapy by the endoscopic approach, are the nonsurgical methods associated with survival improvement rate and/or local symptom palliation.PMID:33708349 | PMC:PMC7934015 | DOI:10.4254/wjh.v13.i2.166

Source: World Journal of Hepatology - March 12, 2021 Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Alina Ioana Tantau Alina Mandrutiu Anamaria Pop Roxana Delia Zaharie Dana Crisan Carmen Monica Preda Marcel Tantau Voicu Mercea Source Type: research