The ID- RFA Trial: A Trial of Intraductal Radio-frequency Ablation (ID-RFA) Plus Biliary Stenting Versus Biliary Stenting Alone for the Treatment of Malignant Biliary Obstruction.

This trial will follow a multicentre randomised controlled trial design.

Patients will be recruited by the standard clinical pathway. Patients with these cancers will be under the care of the oncology team, this may be a new referral (fast-track cancer) or ongoing care. If they are symptomatic of potential biliary obstruction (jaundiced) they will undergo an ultrasound and/or CT scan to determine the cause. In the case of fast-track referrals a biopsy will be taken where possible to confirm diagnosis. If these investigations confirm biliary obstruction the case will be referred to the upper gastrointestinal cancer multidisciplinary team for review. In the case of newly diagnosed patients, if the tumour is resectable and the patient is fit for surgery then the patient will be referred to the appropriate surgical team. In newly diagnosed patients the patient may also be referred to the medical oncology team for consideration for chemotherapy or other systemic treatment however this will generally occur after the procedure being studied as such cases are generally 'emergencies' with reliving the obstruction being the most important prognostic factor in the short term.

Patients unsuitable or unwilling for surgery will then be reviewed by the interventional radiology/endoscopy team, either in clinic as an outpatient or on the ward as an inpatient depending on the nature of their case. If as an inpatient this is often performed in conjunction with the oncology team. Treatment options will be discussed with the patient including biliary stenting and at this point the trial will be introduced. The patient will be provided with written information and given the opportunity to ask any questions they may have about the trial. If the original CT imaging does not provide a clear indication of the location of the obstruction the patient will also be referred for magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography.

Once given sufficient time to consider the study the patient will be reviewed again to make a decision on the course of treatment they would like to take and at this point if willing written informed consent will be taken. The duration of this period will be determined by the nature of the case however adequate time will be given. The results from the previous work-up and any other relevant medical history will be reviewed alongside a clinical assessment a by the investigator to confirm eligibility. This will be entered onto the eCRF prior to randomisation.

Once the patient has been confirmed as eligible and entered into the trial the procedure will be arranged. If the participant is suitable for stenting but not eligible for the trial this will be performed outside the trial. Prior to the procedure blood samples will be collected for Full Blood Count ,liver profile, renal profile and clotting analyses. The participant will also complete two baseline quality of life questionnaires and baseline symptom scores will be recorded.

The patient will then undergo intraductal radiofrequency ablation and biliary stenting. In accordance with local practice, at Bournemouth the approach used will be determined by the nature of the case, where the obstruction is below the cystic duct and the patient is suitable for general anaesthetic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography will be used. Where the obstruction is above the cystic duct or at the hilium, the participant has altered gastrointestinal anatomy or the participant is unsuitable for general anaesthetic, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography will be used. At the Christie all procedures will use the latter approach. The procedure used will be the same for primary biliary obstruction and biliary stent occlusion. The participant will be discharged once deemed medically fit.

The participant will be asked to attend 2 follow-up visits, at one week and 1 month following the procedure. At this visit they will undergo a clinical review of their symptoms and any complications from the procedure. A blood sample will be collected and they will be asked to complete the quality of life questionnaires again. Participants will also be asked these quality of life questionnaires at home at 2,3, 6 and 12 months post procedure alongside an additional short questionnaire evaluating their symptoms and healthcare use. After the 1 month visit they be followed up as per standard care by the oncology team and any relevant information will be collected for the study. The participant will be monitored for stent occlusion and any relevant clinical findings recorded if this is suspected. This will be confirmed by at least 1 investigation in accordance with standard practice. The participant may be referred for further stenting which will be recorded in the patients eCRF. At this point trial follow up (questionnaires and recording of routine care visits) will terminate however the patient will continue to monitored for survival. Otherwise patients will undergo a CT scan at 12 months post procedure to evaluate stent patency and monitored until death.