Intra-arterial embolotherapy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: update and future prospects.

ABSTRACT: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a rare disease and carries a poor prognosis with surgery remaining the only curative treatment option. However, due to the late presentation of symptoms and close proximity of the tumors to central hepatic structures, only about 30% of patients are classified eligible to resection. As for palliative approaches, ICC constitutes a possible indication for loco-regional therapies (LRT). As such, intra-arterial therapies (IAT) are reported to be feasible, safe and effective in inducing tumor response in unresectable ICC. The paradigm of IAT is premised on the selective delivery of embolic, chemotherapeutic agents to the tumor via its feeding arteries, thus allowing dose escalation within the carcinoma and reduction of systemic toxicity. Conventional tran

SUBMITTER: Savic LJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5332218 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature