Yuto Hozaka1, Yota Kawasaki2, Satoshi Iino2, Tetsuya Idichi2, Yuki Hirase2, Kiyonori Tanoue2, Yuko Mataki2, Hiroshi Kurahara2, Kosei Maemura2, Takaaki Arigami2, Shinichi Ueno3, Shoji Natsugoe2, Takao Ohtsuka2. 1. Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, 8-35-1, Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8520, Japan. yhozaka@kufm.kagoshima-u.ac.jp. 2. Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, 8-35-1, Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8520, Japan. 3. Department of Clinical Oncology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cholangiolocellular carcinoma (CoCC) is an extremely rare disease comprising less than 1% of all primary malignant liver tumors. No effective treatment other than resection has been established. Herein, we report a case of locally advanced CoCC diagnosed as unresectable, which was successfully treated with curative resection after downsizing chemotherapy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 59-year-old Japanese woman with chronic hepatitis B was diagnosed with locally advanced intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma. As it was difficult to perform R0 resection in the local hospital, chemotherapy combined with gemcitabine plus cisplatin was administered every 3 weeks. After a total of 10 courses of chemotherapy over 10 months the tumor was shown to be reduced in size by computed tomography imaging, and she was referred to our department for surgical resection. The effect of chemotherapy was classified as a "partial response" in the response evaluation criteria of solid tumors. After adding one course of chemotherapy, an extended left hepatectomy with resection of the caudate lobe was performed. R0 resection was achieved. Based on the pathological findings, the final diagnosis of CoCC was determined and eight courses of S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy were administered. At 14 months after the operation, the patient was alive without tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Downsizing chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin may be an effective treatment strategy in locally advanced CoCC. Further evidence is required to establish an optimal strategy for the treatment of locally advanced CoCC.
BACKGROUND: Cholangiolocellular carcinoma (CoCC) is an extremely rare disease comprising less than 1% of all primary malignant liver tumors. No effective treatment other than resection has been established. Herein, we report a case of locally advanced CoCC diagnosed as unresectable, which was successfully treated with curative resection after downsizing chemotherapy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 59-year-old Japanese woman with chronic hepatitis B was diagnosed with locally advanced intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma. As it was difficult to perform R0 resection in the local hospital, chemotherapy combined with gemcitabine plus cisplatin was administered every 3 weeks. After a total of 10 courses of chemotherapy over 10 months the tumor was shown to be reduced in size by computed tomography imaging, and she was referred to our department for surgical resection. The effect of chemotherapy was classified as a "partial response" in the response evaluation criteria of solid tumors. After adding one course of chemotherapy, an extended left hepatectomy with resection of the caudate lobe was performed. R0 resection was achieved. Based on the pathological findings, the final diagnosis of CoCC was determined and eight courses of S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy were administered. At 14 months after the operation, the patient was alive without tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Downsizing chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin may be an effective treatment strategy in locally advanced CoCC. Further evidence is required to establish an optimal strategy for the treatment of locally advanced CoCC.