Treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: evidence for the role of percutaneous ablation

Abstract

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a rare cancer with generally poor prognosis. In this narrative review, we examine the role of thermal ablation and summarize the current literature. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) are both safe and well-tolerated as a minimally invasive local curative treatment option for patients suffering from primary and secondary liver tumors. Both methods can be used in patients with medical morbidities that would preclude surgery, as well as individuals with anatomical or functional constraints that impede liver resection. In unresectable iCCA, the median OS after conventional percutaneous US- or CT-guided RFA and MWA is between 20 and 39 months and 10 and 28 months, respectively. In recurrent iCCA, percutaneous RFA and MWA achieved a median OS of 21-27 months and 21-31 months, respectively. These data are comparable to long-term outcomes after surgical resection (SR), with the number of nodules and tumor size affecting prognosis. Stereotactic radiofrequency ablation (SRFA) allows for effective treatment of large and multiple iCCA nodules within one session and achieves short- and long-term results in inoperable patients compared with resection. With the addition of SRFA as an alternative treatment option, the proportion of patients who can be treated with curative treatment has significantly increased. In the absence of prospective trials comparing thermal ablation and surgical resection, we recommend a patient-specific decision-making process. Future research to identify technical and clinical prognostic criteria, as well as molecular markers of tumor biology, may help select patients for ablation and subsequent outcomes.