Brief Article
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World J Gastrointest Oncol. Apr 15, 2013; 5(4): 81-87
Published online Apr 15, 2013. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v5.i4.81
Prognostic factors in resectable cholangiocarcinoma patients: Carcinoembryonic antigen, lymph node, surgical margin and chemotherapy
Kosin Wirasorn, Thundon Ngamprasertchai, Jarin Chindaprasirt, Aumkhae Sookprasert, Narong Khantikaew, Ake Pakkhem, Piti Ungarereevittaya
Kosin Wirasorn, Thundon Ngamprasertchai, Jarin Chindaprasirt, Aumkhae Sookprasert, Department of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
Narong Khantikaew, Ake Pakkhem, Department of Surgery, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
Piti Ungarereevittaya, Department of Pathology, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
Author contributions: Wirasorn K designed research; Wirasorn K, Ngamprasertchai T performed research; Wirasorn K, Chindaprasirt J, Sookprasert A, Khantikaew N, Pakkhem A, Ungareevittaya P contributed analytical tools; Wirasorn K, Ngamprasertchai T analyzed data; Wirasorn K wrote the paper.
Supported by The Khon Kaen University Publication Clinic, Research
Correspondence to: Kosin Wirasorn, MD, Department of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Amphur Muang, 40002 Khon Kaen, Thailand. wkosin@kku.ac.th
Telephone: +66-43-363664 Fax: +66-43-202476
Received: November 17, 2012
Revised: March 5, 2013
Accepted: March 15, 2013
Published online: April 15, 2013
Processing time: 166 Days and 5.2 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: Cholangiocarcinoma has a high prevalence in the Asian countries, particularly Thailand. Cholangiocarcinoma patients usually have a high mortality rate and poor treatment outcomes. Curative surgery is the only treatment for early stages of this cancer. Cholangiocarcinoma has a high rate of recurrence. This study aimed to evaluate outcomes in resectable cholangiocarcinoma patients and to determine prognostic factors. The results demonstrated serum carcinoembryonic antigen and lymph node metastases which were associated with advanced stage tumors become strong negative prognostic factors in cholangiocarcinoma, while additional treatment including adjuvant chemotherapy and adequate surgical resection may improve survival time.