Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for inoperable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the safety and efficacy of chemoembolization (TACE) as palliative treatment for patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and to compare the results with those in the literature. Fifteen patients with histology-proven CCA (5 men, 10 women) had received palliative treatment with TACE over a 6-year period. The treatment protocol comprised repeated TACE at a minimum of 8-week intervals. TACE was performed with a mixture of 10 ml Lipiodol and 10 mg mitomycin C injected into the tumor-supplying vessels. Follow-up investigations after 8-10 weeks comprised contrast-enhanced multislice spiral CT and laboratory control. Statistical evaluation included survival analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method. During the investigation period 58 TACEs (3.9 +/- 3.8; 1-15) were performed in 15 patients. Mean tumor size was 10.8 +/- 4.6 cm (range, 2.0-18.0 cm). Unifocal tumor disease was diagnosed in eight patients, and multifocal disease in seven. Mean survival was 21.1 months (95% CI, 9.4-32.5 months). At the end of the investigation period 3 patients are still alive, and 12 patients have died. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rate was 51.3%, 27.5%, and 27.5% respectively. According to RECIST criteria interim best response to therapy was stable disease in 9 of 15 patients, a partial response in 1 of 15 patients, and tumor progression in 4 of 15 patients. No deaths and no acute liver failure occurred under TACE therapy. Major complications were observed in two patients, comprising anaphylactic shock owing to contrast medium administration in one and gastric ulceration due to lipiodol displacement in the second patient. These results demonstrate that TACE is a safe procedure with a moderate number of complications for patients suffering from inoperable CCA. According to recently published data on i.v. chemotherapy we suggest that TACE might be able to prolong survival in selected patients who would succumb under other palliative treatment modalities.