Novel application of modified endoscopic biliary stent combined with photodynamic therapy for palliative treatment in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with biliary stenting reportedly has good efficacy and safety in treating extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (EHC). However, in clinical practice, considering the huge economic loss due to intubation failure during PDT and the fact that patients with malignant biliary obstruction are usually in poor general condition, we modified the traditional approach. Ten patients with EHC who underwent biliary stent placement followed by PDT were included in the study. The primary outcomes measured were procedure success rate and overall survival (OS). The modified procedure had a success rate of 100%. After biliary stent placement, liver function was significantly improved. All patients recovered well and were discharged within 1–3 days after the PDT. One patient developed an infectious complication. The median OS was 10.5 months after biliary stent placement. Palliative treatment of EHC with modified biliary stent placement combined with PDT has good efficacy and safety.