Prospective case series shows improved survival in patients undergoing radical surgery for Klatskin tumors, indicating effective surgical optimization.
Overview Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (Klatskin tumor) is a rare but highly malignant disease with a poor prognosis, predominantly affecting elderly patients. Radical surgery remains the primary treatment; however, it faces significant challenges due to the tumor’s late detection and high invasiveness. This study aims to evaluate the clinical and paraclinical characteristics as well as the surgical outcomes of radical resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma at Hue Central Hospital. Methods A prospective descriptive study was conducted on nine patients diagnosed with and undergoing radical surgery for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma type IIIB (Bismuth-Corlette) at Hue Central Hospital from December 2019 to December 2022. Clinical and paraclinical features, surgical techniques, complications, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Results All patients presented with obstructive jaundice and elevated CA 19-9 levels (mean 199.3±15.7 U/mL). MRI detected a perihilar tumor in 100% of cases. R0 resection was achieved in all patients. The mean operative time was 365.1±35.7 minutes, with an average blood loss of 350.5±47.1 mL. Postoperative complications included bile leakage (11.1%) and residual abscess formation (11.1%). Survival rates improved significantly following surgery. Conclusion Radical surgery for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma is highly effective when the disease is detected early and patients are appropriately selected. Effective hemorrhage control, precise assessment of tumor invasion, and surgical optimization play crucial roles in improving patient prognosis.
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Ho et al. (2025) studied this question.
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