[Surgical, endoscopic or radiologic interventional therapy in bile duct cancer]

The therapy of bile duct cancer is in some cases under controversial discussion. A retrospective comparison between patients who underwent surgery or endoscopic treatment is difficult because of patient selection. It seems that there is no difference in the two groups with regard to 30 days mortality. A prospective or randomized study about this point of discussion is not available. Some retrospective studies show that patients with non-operative treatment had more late complications than had operated patients. Because of tumor extension resection is only possible in a few patients. Operation and endoscopic treatment are therefore not contradictory methods.