Transarterial chemoembolization versus supportive therapy in the palliative treatment of unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

AimTo evaluate the clinical outcome and the survival benefits of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) compared with supportive therapy.Materials and methodsFrom January 1996 to April 2009, a total of 155 patients with unresectable ICC met the entry criteria and underwent TACE (72 patients) or supportive treatment (83 patients). Their survival was the primary end point.ResultsThe baseline patients and tumour characteristics were well-balanced in the two groups. The median number of sessions per patient was 2.5 (range 1–17 sessions) in the TACE group. After TACE, the incidence of significant (≥grade 3) haematological and non-haematological toxicities was 13 and 24%, respectively, and no patients died within 30 days following TACE. The objective tumour regression (≥partial response) was achieved in 23% of the patients in the TACE group. The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that the survival period was significantly longer in the TACE group (median 12.2 months) than in the symptomatic treatment (median 3.3 months) group (p < 0.001).ConclusionsTACE is safe and offers greater survival benefits than supportive treatment for the palliative treatment of unresectable ICC.