Multimodal treatment with endoscopic ablation and systemic therapy for cholangiocarcinoma

Abstract

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) are primary malignancies of biliary system and usually unresectable at the time of diagnosis. As a consequence, majority of these cases are candidates for palliative care. With the advances in chemotherapeutic agents and multidisciplinary care, the survival rate has improved in cases with inoperable malignant biliary obstruction. As a consequence, there is a need to provide effective and durable palliative care in these patients. The main role of endoscopic palliation in the vast majority of CCA includes biliary stenting for obstructive jaundice. Recent advances in the endoscopic palliation and multimodal approach appear promising in imparting durable relief of symptoms. Use of radiofrequency ablation, photodynamic therapy and intraluminal brachytherapy has been shown to improve the survival rates as well as the patency of biliary stents. Infact, intraductal ablation may act synergistically with chemotherapy by modulating tumour signalling pathways and immune microenvironment.

Keywords: Brachytherapy; Chemotherapy; Cholangiocarcinoma; Photodynamic therapy; Radiofrequency ablation.