Although chemotherapy constitutes of the first-line standard therapy for unresectable extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, the treatment outcomes are unsatisfactory. In recent years, local ablative therapy, which is delivered to the cholangiocarcinoma lesion via the percutaneous or endoscopic approach, has garnered attention for the treatment of unresectable, extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Local ablative therapy, such as photodynamic therapy and radiofrequency ablation, can achieve local tumor control. A synergistic effect may also be expected when local ablative therapy is combined with chemotherapy. However, it is a long way from being entrenched as an established therapeutic technique, and several unresolved problems persist, including the paucity of evidence comparing photodynamic therapy and radiofrequency ablation. Clinical application of photodynamic therapy and radiofrequency ablation requires sound comprehension and assimilation of the available evidence to truly benefit each individual patient. In this study, we reviewed the current status, issues, and future prospects of photodynamic therapy and radiofrequency ablation for extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, with a special focus on their combination with chemotherapy.
Keywords: chemotherapy; cholangiocarcinoma; photodynamic therapy; radiofrequency ablation.