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An et al. Hepatoma Res 2023;9:43 Hepatoma Research
DOI: 10.20517/2394-5079.2023.60

Review Open Access

Trans-arterial chemoembolization and

radioembolization for treatment of intrahepatic
cholangiocarcinoma

1,2
Thomas An , Eric Wehrenberg-Klee 1,2
1
Division of Interventional Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
2
Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Correspondence to: Eric Wehrenberg-Klee, Division of Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts
General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, GRB 298, Boston, MA 02114, USA. E-mail: ewehrenberg-klee@partners.org
How to cite this article: An T, Wehrenberg-Klee E. Trans-arterial chemoembolization and radioembolization for treatment of
intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Hepatoma Res 2023;9:43. https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2394-5079.2023.60

Received: 30 May 2023 First Decision: 16 Aug 2023 Revised: 15 Sep 2023 Accepted: 19 Sep 2023 Published: 13 Oct 2023
Academic Editors: Isabel Fabregat, Matias A Avila, Salvatore Gruttadauria Copy Editor: Dan Zhang Production Editor: Dan
Zhang

Abstract
Trans-arterial therapies performed by interventional radiology, including chemoembolization and
radioembolization, have been increasingly utilized for the treatment of unresectable intrahepatic
cholangiocarcinoma. There is increasing evidence demonstrating the safety and efficacy of these interventions in
patients with advanced disease. This review provides an overview of trans-arterial chemoembolization and
radioembolization for unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, summarizes current evidence, and explores
future directions for locoregional therapies.

Keywords: cholangiocarcinoma, TACE, TARE, radioembolization, Y90

INTRODUCTION
Cholangiocarcinoma is a primary hepatic malignancy that originates from the epithelial cells of the biliary
system. The incidence of cholangiocarcinoma is relatively low, representing only 3% of gastrointestinal
[1]
tumors . However, cholangiocarcinoma is the second most common primary hepatic malignancy, trailing
only hepatocellular carcinoma. Molecular mechanisms for the development of intrahepatic
cholangiocarcinoma are not well understood, but comparison of chromosomal aberrations between

© The Author(s) 2023. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
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