Chemoembolization versus radioembolization for the treatment of unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in a single institution image-based efficacy and comparative toxicity.

AIM

Compare radioembolization (Y90) and chemoembolization (CE) for the treatment of unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (UICC).

MATERIALS & METHODS: Institutional Review Board-approved, retrospective search was performed. Forty patients with UICC were treated with either Y90 (n = 25, 39 treatments) or CE (n = 15, 35 treatments). Comparative analysis was performed using Student's and fisher-exact tests. Multivariable-logistic regression was also performed.

RESULTS

Median ages were 60 and 64 years for CE and Y90 groups, respectively (p = 0.798). Patient variables including age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score, tumor burden, extra-hepatic disease, prior chemotherapy and prior surgery were similar between groups. Adverse events were similar in both groups (CE 20%, Y90 26%; p > 0.9). Overall response rate (CE 6%, Y90 4%; p > 0.9) and disease control rate (CE 46%, Y90 48%; p > 0.9) were statistically similar. Multilogistic regression did not identify any variables that correlated with disease control rate, including Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score and tumor burden.

CONCLUSION

Our observation shows that CE and Y90 display similar toxicity and disease control in the treatment of UICC.