Radiotherapy options for cholangiocarcinoma

Ernst I

Abstract

Patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma have a very poor prognosis. Many efforts have been made to treat these patients with effective conventional radiotherapy or chemoradiation but the results are more or less disappointing. High precision radiotherapy techniques may open a window for effective treatment of advanced cholangiocarcinoma. Techniques such as stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and/or image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) deliver high doses to the tumor by sparing normal tissue. This article describes the first studies, potential benefits, toxicity and future aspects of high precision radiotherapy techniques with reference to patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma.