A Case Report on the Palliative Role of Intraluminal Brachytherapy (IIBT) in Advanced Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors/Creators
- 1. Dept. of Radiation Oncology, Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, India
- 2. Chief Medical Physicist and RSO, Dept. of Radiation Oncology, Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, India
Description
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the primary malignant tumor of bile ducts which originates from the cholangiocytes. It accounts for 10-15% of all Hepato-biliary malignancies. Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma (Klatskin tumor) is a type of extrahepatic CCA. We present a case of 37-year-old female patient diagnosed with Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma who presented with complaints of loss of appetite since 2 months associated with generalized itching and yellowish discoloration of sclera & skin with palpable firm mass in right hypochondriac region. The patient underwent Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage (PTBD) followed by internalization to relieve the biliary obstruction along with Intra Luminal Brachytherapy (ILBT) of 20Gy (4 fractions of 5Gy each). The patient was symptomatically better for 6 months with much alleviation of pain, jaundice and was able to continue with her daily activities. Therefore, it can be concluded by saying that ILBT is an effective modality of treatment in HCCA for alleviation of pain and maintaining patency post PTBD procedure.