Oncological outcomes of surgery for recurrent biliary tract cancer: who are the best candidates?

This study aimed to investigate the impact of surgery on outcomes in patients with recurrent biliary tract cancer (BTC) and elucidate factors affecting survival after surgery for this disease. A single-center study was undertaken in 178 patients with recurrent BTC, of whom 24 underwent surgery for recurrence, 85 received chemotherapy, and 69 received best supportive care. Then, we carried out a multicenter study in 52 patients undergoing surgery for recurrent BTC (gallbladder cancer, 39%; distal cholangiocarcinoma, 27%; perihilar cholangiocarcinoma, 21%; intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, 13%). In the single-center study, 3-year survival after recurrence was 53% in patients who underwent surgery, 4% in those who received chemotherapy, and 0% in those who received best supportive care (p