Abstract: Hilar cholangiocarcinoma is a rare biliary malignant tumor derived from the biliary epithelial cell. The primary current treat-ments for hilar cholangiocarcinoma include surgery and chemotherapy, as well as radiation and photodynamic therapies (PDT). A com-plete resection with negative margins is the only treatment with the potential for cure and the only way to maximize survival. Howev-er, over half of the patients in the advanced stage of hilar cholangiocarcinoma lost the chance for surgery. Radiotherapy and chemo-therapy can prolong patient survival; however, these lack reliable data. Most patients who cannot be treated surgically undergo biliary stenting to relieve the biliary obstruction. The PDT is a new method to treat various malignant tumors. Several clinical studies have shown its local tumor ablation capability. Thus, PDT has broad application prospects in the treatment of unresectable hilar cholangio -carcinoma.