Safety and Efficacy of PDT vs RFA vs PDT+RFA for the Treatment of Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Clinical Effect and Safety of Photodynamic Therapy Versus Radiofrequency Ablation Versus Photodynamic Therapy Plus Radiofrequency Ablation for Unresectable Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

A median survival period of 3 to 6 months is the prognosis for patients with advanced, unresectable EHCC. For patients with locally advanced, unresectable EHCC, effective management of tumor growth is the only option to increase stent patency and survival time. In patients with cholangiocarcinoma, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is therapy that has been shown to improve stent patency and overall survival (OS). Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been demonstrated in numerous studies to prolong the life spans of individuals with malignant biliary obstruction . In the literature, comparing the clinical efficacy and adverse outcomes of these two endoscopic procedures is rare.

The lower common bile duct and the hepatic hilar area are the origin of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (EHCC). Patients with advanced, unresectable EHCC have a relatively poor prognosis, with a median survival time of 3 to 6 months. The only way to prolong stent patency and survival for patients with unresectable locally advanced EHCC is by active control of tumor development. The only treatment that has consistently demonstrated an improvement in stent patency and overall survival (OS) in cholangiocarcinoma patients is photodynamic therapy (PDT). The popularity of endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has grown recently in an effort to increase stent patency and survival time for patients with malignant biliary obstruction.RFA for biliary cholangiocarcinoma has demonstrated safety and effectiveness. Endoscopic RFA has been shown in various studies to prolong stent patency and the survival of patients with malignant biliary obstruction. The clinical effectiveness and adverse events of these two endoscopic treatments have not been compared in many papers.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed cholangiocarcinoma;
• unresectable cholangiocarcinoma due to local infiltration of major vessels according to computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), or endoscopic ultrasound（EUS）;
• No previous treatment;
• Adequate bone marrow and organ function (white blood cells>4.0×109/L, hemoglobin>90 g/L, and platelets>75×109/L, serum creatinine<2.0 mg/dl);
• A Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score ≥ 50;
• Signed written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Imaging examination (CT, MRCP, EUS) showed distant metastasis of liver, lung and other organs;
• Coexistent with other malignant tumors;
• Pregnant or nursing women;
• Previous gastrointestinal diversion;
• Participation in another study during the month before enrollment in this study;
• Alcohol and/or substance abuse or potentially poor compliance per a doctor's judgment.