ERFA^d + SEMS^e (n = 34)

SEMS only (n = 42)

P value

Tumor related factors

Well differentiated (low histologic grade)

14 (41%)

16 (38%)

0.785

Stricture length (cm)

3.59 ± 0.17 (2.5 - 5.0)

3.2 ± 0.10 (2.0 - 5.5)

0.675

Bismuth type I hilar CCA^f

12

15

0.970

Stage II (T2N0M0)^a

1^b

1^C

Stage IIIA (T3N0M0)^a

1

2

Stage IIIB (T3N1M0)^a

2

1

Stage IVA (T4N0-1M0)^a

7

9

Stage IVB (T4N1M1)^a

1

2

Distal CCA

22

27

0.970

Stage IIB (T2N1M0)^a

0

1^b + 1^c

Stage III (T4N0-1M0)^a

20

23

Stage IV (T4N1M1)^a

2

2

Patients- or laboratory-related factors

Age (years)

67.5 ± 2.1 (47 - 77)

63.1 ± 1.6 (53 - 79)

0.776

Sex (M/F)

22/12

26/16

0.801

Serum albumin (g/L) (<35/35)

7/27

8/34

0.867

Serum bilirubin (umol/L)

198.4 ± 23.4 (132 - 455)

212.9 ± 18.9 (176 - 533)

0.667

Treatment related fators

Approachs (ERCP^g/PTC^h)

29/5

37/5

0.791

ERFA sessions

3.2 ± 0.1; (2 - 5)

―

―

Repeat ERFA

4

―

―

SEMS type (covered/uncovered)

4/30

6/36

0.746

Adjuvant chemotherapy

Gemcitabine/cisplatin combination

8

14

0.349

Other Gemcitabine-based

11

7

0.110

Fluoropyrimidine-based

6

7

0.910

None

9

14

0.517