Radiological imaging and non-surgical local treatments for cholangiocarcinoma

Abstract

Cholangiocarcinoma (CC) is a malignancy with a very heterogeneous spectrum of morphopathological and prognostic characteristics. Diagnostic imaging is fundamental for early detection, preoperative staging, and resectability assessment, as well as early recognition of prognostic factors. Radical surgical treatment is limited by disease stage and technical feasibility. Interventional radiology has acquired a critical function in addressing disease control and survival improvement through loco-regional therapies, specifically in the setting of intrahepatic CC. In this review, we will describe the current state of art of diagnostic imaging, focusing on intrahepatic CC and proximal extrahepatic CC, and delineate the available loco-regional therapies strategies for unresectable intrahepatic CC.