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Yttrium-90 Radiotherapy for Unresectable Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: A Preliminary Assessment of This Novel Treatment Option

  • Gastrointestinal Oncology
  • Published:
Annals of Surgical Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

There are no treatment options for unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) with proven efficacy. The objective of this study was to present data on the safety and efficacy of a novel treatment option, yttrium-90 (90Y) radioembolization for unresectable ICC.

Methods

Twenty-five patients underwent resin-based 90Y radioembolization for unresectable ICC between January 2004 and May 2009. Patients were assessed at 1 month and then at 3-month intervals after treatment. Radiologic response was evaluated with the Response Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria. Clinical and biochemical toxicities were prospectively recorded. Survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and potential prognostic variables were identified.

Results

No patient was lost to follow-up. The median follow-up was 8.1 (range, 0.4–56) months and the median survival after 90Y radioembolization was 9.3 months. Two patients died within 1 month of treatment; the median follow-up for the remaining 23 was 8.9 (range, 1.5–56) months. Two factors were associated with an improved survival: peripheral tumor type (vs. infiltrative, P = .004) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 (vs. 1 and 2, P < .001). On imaging follow-up of 23 patients, a partial response to treatment was observed in 6 patients (24%), stable disease in 11 patients (48%), and progressive disease in 5 patients (20%). The most common clinical toxicities were fatigue (64%) and self-limiting abdominal pain (40%). Two patients (8%) each developed grade III bilirubin and albumin toxicity. One patient (4%) developed grade III alkaline phosphatase toxicity.

Conclusions

90Y radioembolization may be a relatively safe and efficacious treatment for unresectable ICC. In the absence of other effective therapeutic options, this treatment warrants further investigation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, St. George Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Akshat Saxena BMedSc, Terence C. Chua BSc (Med) (Hons), Francis C. Chu MBBS, FRACS & David L. Morris MD, PhD

  2. Department of Interventional Radiology, St. Vincent’s Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Lourens Bester MBChB, BSc (Hons), FRANZCR

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  1. Akshat Saxena BMedSc
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  2. Lourens Bester MBChB, BSc (Hons), FRANZCR
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  3. Terence C. Chua BSc (Med) (Hons)
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  4. Francis C. Chu MBBS, FRACS
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  5. David L. Morris MD, PhD
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Correspondence to Akshat Saxena BMedSc.

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Saxena, A., Bester, L., Chua, T.C. et al. Yttrium-90 Radiotherapy for Unresectable Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: A Preliminary Assessment of This Novel Treatment Option. Ann Surg Oncol 17, 484–491 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-009-0777-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-009-0777-x

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