Korean J Pancreas Biliary Tract.  2025 Apr;30(2):43-53. 10.15279/kpba.2025.30.2.43.

Surgery for Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma

• Kim J

• KMID: 2567423
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15279/kpba.2025.30.2.43

Abstract

Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive tumor, can develop in the bile ducts at the junction of the right and left hepatic ducts. Successful treatment with of surgical excision and/or transplantation has significantly improved the management of the disease, leading to increased survival rates and better quality of life for patients. Nonetheless, challenges persist, including limited therapy options for advanced-stage disease, potential risks, and a shortage of donor organs. For early-stage disease, surgical resection, usually right hepatectomy, is the preferred treatment, while transplantation is indicated for non-resectable cases. Liver transplantation offers prolonged survival for certain individuals; however, it requires lifelong immunosuppression and carries the risk of recurrence. The choice between resection and transplantation depends on various factors, including disease stage, patient health, and the availability of a donor organ. For patients diagnosed with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma, implementing an interdisciplinary approach is crucial for optimizing therapeutic efficacy.

Keyword

Survival; Mortality; Hepatectomy; Transplantation; Living donor; 간절제; 간이식; 생존자 공여자