Background: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA, bile duct cancer) is a rare malignant disease with a poor prognosis. For several years interdisciplinary tumor boards (TuB) with the participation of experts from various disciplines have been organized to optimize medical treatment for patients suffering from oncological diseases.
Objective: This study addressed the question whether the introduction of TuB leads to a better life expectancy and quality of life for patients with CCA.
Material and methods: In this retrospective study 161 patients treated for CCA were investigated. The patient collective was divided in two groups (TuB+ vs. TuB-) and a propensity score matching was carried out.
Results: The patient group TuB+ included 109 patients (67.7%) and the control group (TuB-) included 52 patients (32.3%). Using propensity score matching 84 patients in the TuB+ and 50 in the TuB group were identified and matched. The survival rates of the matched patients demonstrated an advantage for patients in the TuB+ group (1-year survival rate 61.9%, 5‑year survival rate 23.6%, 10-year survival rate 18.0%) over patients in the TuB-group (1-year survival rate 32.0%, 5‑year survival rate 8.0%, 10-year survival rate 0%) with p < 0.001. The results of the univariate (hazard ratio, HR 0.513, 95% confidence interval, CI 0.350-0.751, p = 0.001) and the multivariate Cox proportional hazard models (HR 0.459, 95% CI 0.303-0.694, p < 0.001) showed a significant benefit in survival for patients in the TuB+ group.
Conclusion: This article shows that the introduction of a TuB meeting can provide a measurable benefit for patients with CCA. Hence it is recommended that all cases of patients with CCA should be discussed in a TuB.
Keywords: Cholangiocarcinoma; Exploratory laparotomy; Interdisciplinary tumor board; Palliative chemotherapy; Surgical resection.