Resection with total caudate lobectomy confers survival benefit in hilar cholangiocarcinoma of Bismuth type III and IV

PurposeTo identify prognostic predictors for overall survival of patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma of Bismuth type III and IV (HCBT34), and to determine survival benefit and safety of total caudate lobectomy (TCL) in a Chinese centre.MethodsFrom January 2001 to December 2010, 171 patients with the diagnosis of HCBT34, who underwent a potentially curative resection, were included in this study. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to determine the association between possible prognostic variables and survival time. Curative resectability rate, morbidity and mortality were investigated also.ResultsResection with TCL was significantly associated with more opportunity to achieve curative resection (p < 0.01), did not accompany with more morbidity (p = 0.39) and mortality (p = 0.67). Cox regression analysis demonstrated positive resection margins [Relative Risk (RR) 3.6, 95% CI 3.5–3.7], not well differentiation (RR 2.9, 95% CI 2.7–3.1), higher preoperative serum peak CA19-9 level (RR 1.6, 95% CI 1.5–1.7) and regional lymph nodes involvement (RR 1.5, 95% CI 1.4–1.6) as independent adverse prognostic variables.ConclusionsResection with TCL offers a long-term survival opportunity for HCBT34, with high curative resectability rates and an acceptable safety profile.