Clinical impact of lymph node dissection in surgery for peripheral-type intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

To investigate the prognostic factors of peripheral-type intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (PP-IHCC) and evaluate the surgical outcomes according to surgical strategy alterations. Twenty-two patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical strategy: an extended surgery group (Ex group: n = 10), composed of those who underwent hepatic lobectomy combined with lymph node (LN) dissection and bile duct resection; and a customized surgery group (Cx group: n = 12), composed of those who underwent hepatectomy and bile duct resection according to tumor spread. LN dissection was not performed in patients without LN metastasis. Multivariate analysis revealed that R2 resection, LN metastasis, and intrahepatic metastasis were independent prognostic factors. LN dissection was significantly infrequent in the Cx group. Survival after curative resection was similar in the two groups (3-year survival: 42.9 vs. 57.1%). Liver metastasis was the most frequent primary recurrence, occurring in more than 80% of patients from both groups. Curative surgery might improve the prognosis of patients with PP-IHCC, but routine LN dissection is not recommended, particularly for patients without LN metastasis. Surgery alone, including LN dissection, cannot control this type of tumor, and additional treatment should be given.