Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Patients With Unresectable Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EDT 2011 · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2010.06.018· OSTI ID:21590421

Ghafoori, A Paiman; Nelson, John W; Willett, Christopher G; Chino, Junzo ^[1]; Tyler, Douglas S ^[2]; Hurwitz, Herbert I; Uronis, Hope E; Morse, Michael A ^[3]; Clough, Robert W ^[1]

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1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Division of Medical Oncology and Transplantation, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina (United States)
2. Department of General Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina (United States)
3. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology and Transplantation, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina (United States)

Purpose: Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is an uncommon but lethal malignancy. We analyzed the role of definitive chemoradiotherapy for patients with nonmetastatic, locally advanced extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma treated at a single institution. Methods and Materials: This retrospective analysis included 37 patients who underwent external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) with concurrent chemotherapy and/or brachytherapy (BT) for locally advanced extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Local control (LC) and overall survival (OS) were assessed, and univariate regression analysis was used to evaluate the effects of patient- and treatment-related factors on clinical outcomes. Results: Twenty-three patients received EBRT alone, 8 patients received EBRT plus BT, and 6 patients received BT alone (median follow-up of 14 months). Two patients were alive without evidence of recurrence at the time of analysis. Actuarial OS and LC rates at 1 year were 59% and 90%, respectively, and 22% and 71%, respectively, at 2 years. Two patients lived beyond 5 years without evidence of recurrence. On univariate analysis, EBRT with or without BT improved LC compared to BT alone (97% vs. 56% at 1 year; 75% vs. 56% at 2 years; p = 0.096). Patients who received EBRT alone vs. BT alone also had improved LC (96% vs. 56% at 1 year; 80% vs. 56% at 2 years; p = 0.113). Age, gender, tumor location (proximal vs. distal), histologic differentiation, EBRT dose ({<=} or >50 Gy), EBRT planning method (two-dimensional vs. three-dimensional), and chemotherapy were not associated with patient outcomes. Conclusions: Patients with locally advanced extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma have poor survival. Long-term survival is rare. The majority of patients treated with EBRT had local control at the time of death, suggesting that symptoms due to the local tumor effect might be effectively controlled with radiation therapy, and EBRT is an important element of treatment. Novel treatment approaches are indicated in the therapy for this disease.

• OSTI ID: 21590421
• Journal Information: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Journal Name: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 81; ISSN IOBPD3; ISSN 0360-3016
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
BRACHYTHERAPY
CHEMOTHERAPY
COMBINED THERAPY
DISEASES
DOSES
MATHEMATICS
MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
RADIATION DOSES
RADIOLOGY
RADIOTHERAPY
REGRESSION ANALYSIS
STATISTICS
THERAPY