Liver transplantation for unresectable Klatskin tumor: experience of two centers, first distant results

Aim. Evaluation of the first distant results of the combined experience of liver transplantation for unresectable portal cholangiocarcinoma from two large specialized clinical centers.

Materials and methods. In total, 23 attempts at liver transplantation for unresectable Klatskin tumor were undertaken. Out of them, 10 were conducted at the A.M. Granov Russian Research Center for Radiology and Surgical Technologies (Granov Center), and 13 were conducted at the Minsk Scientific and Practical Center for Surgery, Transplantology, and Hematology (Minsk Center). The maximum tumor size was 5 and 3 cm in patients operated at the Granov and Minsk Centers, respectively. In the Granov Center, neoadjuvant therapy included a combination of endobiliary photodynamic therapy, regional and systemic chemotherapy. Patients were included in the waiting list only in cases of decreased tumor marker levels and in the absence of disease progression and acute cholangitis. In the Minsk Center, stereotactic radiotherapy was used for neoadjuvant treatment in the absence of active cholangitis; the first 3 patients underwent liver transplantation without prior neoadjuvant treatment.

Results. Due to disease progression, six patients were excluded. In three patients at the Mink Center, the diagnosis was not morphologically confirmed after liver transplantation. A total of 14 liver transplantations were performed for unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma. After neoadjuvant treatment at the Granov Center, normalization of the CA19-9 marker was observed in four patients, its decrease by 3–4 times was observed in two patients. Liver transplantation was performed in six patients. The average time from the onset of treatment to transplantation was 9.1 months (6–14). Out of the six patients, one was alive for 34 months, with the median overall survival being 22.2 months. Progression was the cause of death in only one patient. Out of the three patients without neoadjuvant treatment at the Minsk Center, two were alive at 16 and 134 months without progression. One patient died after transplantation from disease progression at 24 months. Stereotactic radiotherapy achieved normalization of CA19-9 in four patients; its twofold reduction was observed in one patient. The average time from the onset of treatment to transplantation was six months (3–12). The average CA19-9 tumor marker level by the time of transplantation was 11.3 IU/mL. At 20–26 months, three patients were alive without evidence of disease progression; two patients died of progression after 9 and 59 months.

Conclusion. Liver transplantation for unresectable portal cholangiocarcinoma after neoadjuvant treatment regardless of the methods used is highly promising in carefully selected recipients.

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