Successful Management of an “Unresectable” Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma with Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy, Chemoembolization, and Extended Hepatectomy with Portal Vein Reconstruction

Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare, but invariably fatal primary hepatic tumor that is often diagnosed at advanced stages with minimal options of surgical cure. Relatively few patients diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma are considered surgical candidates, owing to the extent of the disease at presentation, the presence of vascular invasion or extrahepatic disease, and/or poor functional status with advanced age being most commonly associated. There is no clear consensus for the management of advanced cholangiocarcinomas, as the current literature is typically based on limited patient numbers and anecdotal experiences at best. This case report represents the successful management of a large, advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma using multiple treatment modalities including systemic chemotherapy, liver-directed therapy, portal vein embolization, and extended hepatectomy with portal vein resection and reconstruction.