Hepatopancreatoduodenectomy for anastomotic recurrence from residual cholangiocarcinoma: report of a case

Resection of cholangiocarcinoma often results in a positive ductal margin, from carcinoma in situ (CIS) near the main tumor; however, the biological behavior of the residual CIS after surgical resection remains equivocal. We report a case of late local recurrence of CIS, defined as long-term tumor progression from CIS residue at the ductal stump. The patient, a 73-year-old man, had undergone bile duct resection for distal cholangiocarcinoma, leaving positive ductal margins with CIS. A biliary stricture was found 10 years later at the site of anastomosis, and right hepatectomy with pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. Based on histological analogy and the evidence of remnant CIS, a final diagnosis of late local recurrence from the CIS foci was made. This uncommon mode of recurrence should be considered in patients with early-stage disease with expected favorable survival because salvage surgery is feasible for selected patients.