Image-guided local treatment for unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma-role of interventional radiology

Abstract

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a highly aggressive malignancy with an increasing incidence in recent years. Prognosis is poor and most patients are not eligible for resection at the  time of initial diagnosis due to the anatomic location, inadequate hepatic reserve, limiting comorbidities or metastatic disease. Several locoregional therapies from the field of interventional radiology exist for patients who are not amenable for surgery, or in case of local recurrence as a single treatment modality or combined with systemic treatment. To date, evidence is limited, with most conclusions drawn from single-center studies with small patient cohorts, often treated in the salvage situation or for local recurrence after initial resection. Nevertheless, the results are promising and suggest a survival benefit in selected patients. This narrative review focuses on the use of different locoregional treatment options for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.