Context: The extent of hepatectomy and lymph node dissection (LND) in the treatment of hepatolithiasis-associated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (HL-iCCA) is still controversial.
Aims: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the role of surgical treatment for HL-iCCA.
Methods: The clinical data of 63 patients with HL-iCCA who undergoing surgery between January 2005 and December 2015 were analyzed retrospectively.
Statistical analysis used: All data were analyzed by the SPSS 17.0 software program (IMB Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Survival curves were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the Log-rank test. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Forty-nine patients (77.8%) underwent surgical resection including 35 with LND and 14 without LND. The overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 58.1%, 28.2%, and 10.6%, respectively, and the median survival time was 19 months. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of resection group were 78.9%, 36.3%, and 13.5%, respectively, while the 1-year survival rate of exploratory laparotomy group was 0 (P < 0.0001). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of patients with LND were significantly superior to those of without LND (75.9%, 39.4%, and 20.2% vs. 71.4%, 17.9%, and 0, P = 0.043). According to the N status, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of pN0 subgroup were 81.8%, 49.2%, and 28.1%; pN1 subgroup were 65.3%, 18.6%, and 0%; and pNx subgroup were 71.4%, 17.9%, and 0%, respectively (pN0 vs. pN1, P = 0.005; pN0 vs. pNx, P = 0.004; pN1 vs. pNx, P = 0.653). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of R0 resection (n = 42) were 80.2%, 36.7%, and 14.9%, respectively, and those of R1 resection (n = 7) were 71.4%, 0%, and 0%, respectively (P = 0.028).
Conclusions: Radical resection is the most effective therapy for HL-iCCA. Regional lymphadenectomy is strongly recommended in resectable HL-iCCA, which is helpful in tumor staging and long-term survival.