Peri-hilar cholangiocarcinoma: results from the UK nationwide CAPBIL study

BACKGROUND: The role of liver transplantation as a treatment option for de novo resectable peri-hilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) is controversial. This study investigated the outcomes following resection of early-stage pCCA in the UK.

METHODS: Patients undergoing resection for pCCA between 2014 and 2022 across 22 UK centres were included. Early-stage pCCA was defined as tumour size<3cm with no nodal disease (N0) on histopathology analysis. Clinical and survival data were collated.

RESULTS: Of the 450 patients included, 138 patients underwent resection for early-stage pCCA. In the early-stage pCCA group, CD ≥ IIIa morbidity was 39.1 % (n = 54) and 90-day mortality was 10.1 % (n = 14). Sixty-four (46.4 %) patients received adjuvant chemotherapy, but this was reduced in those with CD ≥ IIIa morbidity (n = 17, 31.5 %). Early-stage tumours had a significantly lower vascular invasion (n = 57, 41.3 %) and R1 margin (n = 46, 33.3 %) compared to later-stage pCCA [62.2 % (n = 194) and 54.2 % (n = 169) respectively, p < 0.001). The median disease-free and overall survival was significantly better in patients with early-stage pCCA compared to more advanced tumours (p < 0.001). Male gender (p = 0.039) and Post-Hepatectomy Liver Failure (PHLF, p = 0.010) were associated with significantly worse disease-free survival, while biliary drainage (p = 0.013), PHLF (p < 0.001) and vascular invasion (p = 0.030) were associated with significantly poorer overall survival.

CONCLUSION: Resection of early-stage pCCA tumours is associated with good clinical and survival outcomes in centralised HPB centres.