Results of resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma with analysis of prognostic factors

Background/Aims: Resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma remains a challengi ng procedure and recent published results continue to show that few patient s are cured of their disease. The objective of this review was to determine the results of radical resection and to identify factors associated with l ong-term survival. Methodology: Retrospective review of resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma in 29 consecutive patients with statistical analysis of prognostic factors , including p53 status. Results: The mortality and morbidity rates were 6.9% and 34%, respectively. The overall 5-year survival was 20% with the median survival being 16 mont hs. Univariate analysis identified the following factors associated with po or survival; involved lymph nodes, vascular invasion, advanced tumor stage, positive tumor margins, and p53 mutation, However, none of these factors w as associated with poor survival by multivariate analyses. Conclusions: Radical resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma can be performe d with acceptable morbidity and mortality, but most patients succumb to the ir disease. p53 status may be a helpful adjunct to routine pathological sta ging.