Transplantation for Cholangiocarcinoma: When and for Whom?

David J. Rea, Charles B. Rosen, David M. Nagorney, Julie K. Heimbach, Gregory J. Gores

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

62 Scopus citations

Abstract

Liver transplantation for cholangiocarcinoma has historically been maligned. Because of a high recurrence rate and poor patient survival, the disease has been viewed as an absolute contraindication to transplantation. Based on good results using neoadjuvant and palliative radiation, a protocol for liver transplantation in selected patients with unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma was developed in 1993. Neoadjuvant radiation is followed by operative staging to rule out patients with lymph node metastases before liver transplantation. This approach has achieved results superior to standard surgical therapy, with 72% 5-year survival for patients with unresectable disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)325-337
Number of pages13
JournalSurgical Oncology Clinics of North America
Volume18
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2009

Keywords

  • Chemotherapy
  • Cholangiocarcinoma
  • Liver transplantation
  • Neoadjuvant
  • Outcomes
  • Radiation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Oncology

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