Surgical treatment of recurrent intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (systematic review)

Background: Liver resection for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is accompanied by a high recurrence rate (up to 70 %) in the first 2 years after surgery. The results of treatment of recurrent intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma are evaluated inconsistently.Aim: The results of repeated liver resections and methods of locoregional therapy for reccurent intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma were analysed based on literature data.Materials and methods: Two publication databases have been used for search: PubMed and Google Scholar. Finally, 35 papers published from 2010 to 2022 were included in review.Results: Repeated liver resections followed by chemotherapy provide better long-term results compared to other methods of local therapy and systemic drug treatment. The rate of perioperative morbidity does not differ from resections for primary tumors. Repeat liver resection is possible in a limited number of patients (8-10 %). Thorough selection of patients is necessary in terms of prognosis and biological behavior of the tumor.Conclusion: Evidence for the benefit of resections in the treatment of recurrent intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is based on a scarse number of studies analyzing relatively small and heterogeneous patient cohorts. Patient selection is needed, the criteria for which are still being discussed.