Recurrent intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: single-center experience using repeated hepatectomy and radiofrequency ablation.

Background: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHC) is a rare liver malignancy with a rising incidence worldwide. Since no standard treatment has been established so far, the aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of repeated liver resection and/or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in selected cases with recurrent IHC.
Patients and Methods: The outcome of 13 patients who had been treated at least once for recurrent IHC by repeated liver resection and/or RFA was retrospectively analyzed. A total of 12 repeated liver resections and 8 radiofrequency ablations were performed in these patients between 2002 and 2008.
Results: After a median follow-up period of 28 months after primary liver resection (12-69 months), seven patients (54%) are still alive and three of these patients (23% of the entire cohort) are regarded as disease-free. The median survival for all patients was 51 months (12-69 months). One- and three-year survival after primary surgery was 92 and 52%, respectively, with an overall complication rate of 7.6%.
Conclusion: According to the present data, repeated liver resection and radiofrequency ablation are feasible in select patients with recurrent IHC. Both procedures can be regarded as safe and might lead to a prolongation of patient survival.