Liver resection for bile duct cancer.

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma is now diagnosed more frequently, and modern diagnostic methods allow a much more precise definition of the extent of disease, which assists in planning the therapeutic approach. Resection of tumors at the confluence of the bile ducts is possible in 20 per cent of patients. When the tumor extends along the hepatic ducts into the right or the left side of the liver, excision may be combined with partial hepatectomy. Involvement of the portal vein and hepatic artery do not necessarily preclude resection. The operative mortality rate of partial hepatectomy for hilar cholangiocarcinoma is about 10 per cent, and median survival after operation is approximately 22 months, with a few long-term cures reported. The quality of survival after the excision of tumor and biliary-enteric reconstruction is very good and indeed appears to be better than that after palliation by biliary decompression alone.