The role of radiation therapy in carcinoma of the extrahepatic bile ducts.

Carcinoma of the extrahepatic bile ducts is uncommon, and the primary management has been largely surgical. Radiotherapy for this disease has received minimal attention, although recent innovations have prompted increased interest. We report a retrospective review of 34 patients treated with radiotherapy between 1967 and 1982. The five-year survival rate was 6%, and the median survival was 11 months. Patient characteristics, treatment techniques, and outcome for the entire group, as well as selected subgroups are discussed. Two patients treated by interventional radiographic techniques, external irradiation, and transcatheter intracavitary brachytherapy are presented in detail. The current surgical, radiotherapeutic, and chemotherapeutic literature is reviewed.