Meta-Analysis
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2025. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastrointest Oncol. Jul 15, 2025; 17(7): 107995
Published online Jul 15, 2025. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v17.i7.107995
Comparison of prognostic factors and their differences in intrahepatic, hilar, and distal cholangiocarcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Muhammad Masroor Hussain, Ju-Mei Wang, Ao-Qiang Zhai, Fu-Yu Li, Hai-Jie Hu
Muhammad Masroor Hussain, Ju-Mei Wang, Ao-Qiang Zhai, Fu-Yu Li, Hai-Jie Hu, Division of Biliary Tract Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
Muhammad Masroor Hussain, Ju-Mei Wang, Ao-Qiang Zhai, Fu-Yu Li, Hai-Jie Hu, Research Center for Biliary Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
Co-first authors: Muhammad Masroor Hussain and Ju-Mei Wang.
Co-corresponding authors: Fu-Yu Li and Hai-Jie Hu.
Author contributions: Hussain MM contributed to the conception of the work and the interpretation of relevant literature, designed research, performed research; contributed to analytic tools; analyzed data, drafted the article, wrote the paper, contributed to revision and figure and table preparation; Hussain MM and Wang JM substantially performed the literature search; Wang JM, Zhai AQ, Hu HJ, Li FY contributed to the revision of the article critically for important intellectual content. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript. Hussain MM and Wang JM contributed equally to this work as co-first authors. We have designated two co-corresponding authors to reflect their distinct and essential leadership roles in this study. Dr. Professor Li FY, as the overall head of our team, provided strategic guidance, coordinated interdisciplinary collaboration, and oversaw the study from its conception through to submission. Dr. Hu HJ, as the head of the research team, led the study design, supervised data analysis, and guided the manuscript preparation in detail. Their complementary expertise and continuous involvement throughout the research process make them both well-positioned to respond to editorial queries and post-publication correspondence. Joint correspondence ensures efficient and comprehensive communication on all aspects of the study.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declared no conflict of interest.
PRISMA 2009 Checklist statement: The authors have read the PRISMA 2009 Checklist, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the PRISMA 2009 Checklist.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Fu-Yu Li, MD, PhD, Chief Physician, Consultant, Professor, Division of Biliary Tract Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxue Alley, Wuhou District, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China. lfy_74@hotmail.com
Received: April 2, 2025
Revised: April 28, 2025
Accepted: June 4, 2025
Published online: July 15, 2025
Processing time: 103 Days and 7 Hours
Core Tip

Core Tip: This meta-analysis offers a comprehensive comparison of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC), perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCC), and distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC), revealing significant prognostic differences. DCC shows the most favorable survival outcomes despite a higher rate of lymphatic invasion. PHCC has a better prognosis than IHCC, although both share similar tumor biology. These findings underscore the heterogeneity of cholangiocarcinoma and support the need for tailored treatment strategies based on tumor location.