Palliative treatment for bile duct carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma remains a very difficult problem for the surgeon. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences between surgical treatment and endoscopic or transhepatic dilatation and intubation.

METHODOLOGY: Clinical data from 62 consecutive patients with carcinoma of the extrahepatic bile ducts, who underwent palliative treatment during the past 25 years in our department, were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative assessment defined site, stage and resectability of tumors.

RESULTS

Tumors were located in the upper third of the bile duct in 32 cases, in the middle third in 17 cases and in the distal third in 13 cases. Transtumoral dilatation was performed in 36 patients (Group A) and cholangioenteric bypass in the remaining 26 patients (Group B). The overall mortality rate was 12.9%. The average survival rate was 6.5 months in group A and 7.3 months in group B.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion we suggest that the cholangioenteric bypass offers a better quality of life than non-operative techniques.