Klatskin tumor complicated by obstructive jaundice and cholangitis in real practice: unresectable tumor or incurable patient?

The objective was to determine the effectiveness of biliary drainage/stenting before admission to the specialized Department of hepatobiliary surgery in patients with Klatskin tumors and the possibility of subsequent specific treatment.

Methods and materials. During 2015-2019, 58 patients with Klatskin tumor (Bismuth - Corlette types: I - in 4 pts; II - 6; III - 36; IV - 12) were hospitalized with biliary drainage/stenting performed in outside hospitals because of obstructive jaundice. In 45 (78 %) patients due to uncontrolled cholangitis and /or obstructive jaundice, correction and/or additional drainage of the bile ducts was required: resetting from external to external-internal (n=23), additional drainage of the left lobe and Siv (n=16), removal of endoscopic stents and new percutaneous drainage (n=6). 48 patients received combination of intraductal photodynamic and regional chemotherapy. After 2-8 (average 3) cycles of specific therapy, 14 (24 %) patients underwent surgery: right hemigepatectomy - 4; left expanded hemigepatectomy - 4; left hemigepatectomy - 3; duct resection with Siv - 2; orthotopic liver transplantation - 1.

Results. From the first appearance of obstructive jaundice to the beginning of specific treatment, it took 1 to 9 (average 3.1) months. The technical success of repeated endobiliary interventions was 100 %. There were no serious complications or mortality. Both the cholangitis and obstructive jaundice were controlled in 35 (78 %) patients. 14 out of 48 (30 %) patients showed a metabolic and biological response of the tumor to combined treatment (PET/CT with F 18FDG and CA-19.9) and underwent radical surgery. Specific therapy was not performed in 10 (17 %) patients with long-term jaundice and the development of biliary cirrhosis (n=6) and chronic cholangitis (n=4).

Conclusion. Before the admission to the specialized Department, previously installed bile duct drains/stents were effective in 22 % of patients. Only adequate biliary drainage with regular x-ray monitoring allows to start aggressive specific therapy in 83 % of patients with Klatskin tumor. The advantage of photodynamic and regional chemotherapy after percutaneous biliary drainage is their repeatability with local control of tumor and the possibility of subsequent radical surgical treatment, including orthoptic liver transplantation.

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