Comparing microwave ablation and liver surgery for treating intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Microwave Ablation Versus Liver Resection for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Within Milan Criteria

Chinese PLA General Hospital · NCT06462742

This study is testing whether microwave ablation can be a good first treatment option for people with a specific type of liver cancer compared to traditional liver surgery.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment1000 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorChinese PLA General Hospital (other)
Locations1 site (Beijing, Beijing Municipality)
Trial IDNCT06462742 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of microwave ablation (MWA) compared to liver resection (LR) in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). It will analyze survival outcomes and identify risk factors associated with both treatment methods. Data will be collected from multiple hospitals for patients who meet specific criteria, focusing on those with tumors within the Milan criteria. The study seeks to determine if MWA can serve as a viable first-line treatment option for iCCA.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with pathologically diagnosed iCCA who meet the Milan criteria for treatment.

Not a fit: Patients with tumors that exceed the Milan criteria or those with other malignancies may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide an alternative treatment option for patients with iCCA, potentially improving survival rates.

How similar studies have performed: While thermal ablation has been established for hepatocellular carcinoma, evidence for its efficacy in iCCA is limited, making this approach relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. pathologically diagnosed iCCA based on the WHO classifications;
2. curative-intent liver resection or microwave ablation;
3. tumor within Milan criteria, namely single tumor ≤5cm in maximum diameter; multiple tumors ≤3 in number and each ≤3cm; no evidence of major vascular/hilar invasion, extrahepatic/lymphatic metastasis or other malignancies;
4. age ≥18 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients not meeting any one of the inclusion criteria were excluded.

Where this trial is running

Beijing, Beijing Municipality

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Overall Survival, Disease-free Survival

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.