Clinical Experience : Clinical Presentation and Prognosis of Cholangiolocellular Carcinoma and Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma—A Comparative Study—

Abstract

Background : Cholangiolocellular carcinoma (CLC) is a relatively rare tumor with an unknown clinical profile and outcome. The clinical features and treatment outcomes of patients with CLC treated at our hospital were compared to those of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA).

Methods : From 2013 to 2022, 10 CLC and 34 iCCA cases from our hospital were included, and the clinical presentations and prognoses of these cases were examined. iCCA cases of the mass-forming type at sites other than the hilar bile ducts were included in this study.

Results : Regarding the CLC cases, no patients were diagnosed with CLC on preoperative imaging. All patients were diagnosed with CLC based on histopathological examination. The median observation period was 798 days, and postoperative recurrence was observed in only one case. Regarding case comparisons between CLC and iCCA, AFP was significantly higher in iCCA cases. Overall survival tended to be better in CLC cases (P=0.252) and recurrence-free survival was significantly better in CLC cases (P=0.026).

Conclusion : Prognosis after resection was significantly better in CLC cases than in iCCA cases. Patients with CLC are likely cured with aggressive surgical treatment.