Abstract
PURPOSE: Hepatic resection is considered as the optimal treatment for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC); however, the survival rate after resection is low and the analysis of long-term (≥10 years) survivors is rare. This study aims to analyze the clinicopathological factors affecting the long-term survival of patients with IHCC. METHODS: Between January 2003 and December 2012, a single-institution cohort of 429 patients who underwent hepatic resection for IHCC were reviewed retrospectively. Surgical results, recurrence, and survival rates were investigated, and multivariate analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors. RESULTS: The overall 1- , 3- , 5- and 10-year survival rates of patients were 76.5%, 44.1%, 33.3%, and 25.1%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the serum CA 19-9 level (≥38 U/mL) (P < 0.001), lymph node (LN) metastasis (P = 0.001), and lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (P = 0.012) were independent factors associated with overall survival. In particular, CA 19-9 level and histologic type were determined to be independent factors affecting survival for more than 10 years. CONCLUSION: CA 19-9 (≥38 U/mL), LN metastasis, and LVI were identified as independent risk factors for survival after resection of IHCC. CA 19-9 (<38 U/mL) and histologic type were independent factors predicting survival for more than 10 years.