Radiofrequency Ablation of Unresectable Primary and Metastatic Hepatic Malignancies: Results in 123 Patients

OBJECTIVE: To describe the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to treat unresectable malignant hepatic tumors in 123 patients. BACKGROUND: The majority of patients with primary or metastatic malignancies confined to the liver are not candidates for resection because of tumor size, location, or multifocality or inadequate functional hepatic reserve. Local application of heat is tumoricidal; therefore, the authors investigated a novel RFA system to treat patients with unresectable hepatic cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with hepatic malignancies were entered into a prospective, nonrandomized trial. The liver tumors were treated percutaneously or during surgery under ultrasound guidance using a novel LeVeen monopolar array needle electrode and an RF 2000 generator. All patients were followed to assess complications, treatment response, and recurrence of malignant disease. RESULTS: RFA was used to treat 169 tumors (median diameter 3.4 cm, range 0.5 to 12 cm) in 123 patients. Primary liver cancer was treated in 48 patients (39.1%), and metastatic liver tumors were treated in 75 patients (60.9%). Percutaneous and intraoperative RFA was performed in 31 patients (35.2%) and 92 patients (74.8%), respectively. There were no treatment-related deaths, and the complication rate after RFA was 2.4%. All treated tumors were completely necrotic on imaging studies after completion of RFA treatments. With a median follow-up of 15 months, tumor has recurred in 3 of 169 treated lesions (1.8%), but metastatic disease has developed at other sites in 34 patients (27.6%). CONCLUSIONS: RFA is a safe, well-tolerated, and effective treatment to achieve tumor destruction in patients with unresectable hepatic malignancies. Because patients are at risk for the development of new metastatic disease after RFA, multimodality treatment approaches that include RFA should be investigated.     

Early and late complications after radiofrequency ablation of malignant liver tumors in 608 patients

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has become a common treatment of patients with unresectable primary and secondary hepatic malignancies. We performed this prospective analysis to determine early (within 30 days) and late (more than 30 days after) complication rates associated with hepatic tumor RFA. METHODS: All patients treated between January 1, 1996 and June 30, 2002 with RFA for hepatic malignancies were entered into a prospective database. Patients were evaluated during RFA treatment, throughout the immediate post RFA course, and then every 3 months after RFA to assess for the development of treatment-related complications. RESULTS: A total of 608 patients, 345 men (56.7%) and 263 women (43.3%), with a median age of 58 years (range 18-85 years) underwent RFA of 1225 malignant liver tumors. Open intraoperative RFA was performed in 382 patients (62.8%), while percutaneous RFA was performed in 226 (37.2%). The treatment-related mortality rate was 0.5%. Early complications developed in 43 patients (7.1%). Early complications were more likely to occur in patients treated with open RFA (33 [8.6%] of 382 patients) compared with percutaneous RFA (10 [4.4%] 226 patients, P < 0.01), and in patients with cirrhosis (25 [12.9%] complications in 194 patients) compared with noncirrhotic patients (31 [7.5%] complications in 414 patients, P < 0.05). Late complications arose in 15 patients (2.4%) with no difference in incidence between open and percutaneous RFA treatment. The combined overall early and late complication rate was 9.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic tumor RFA can be performed with low mortality and morbidity rates. Though relatively rare, late complications can develop and physicians performing hepatic RFA must be cognizant of these delayed treatment-related problems.     

Laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation of unresectable liver malignancies: feasibility and clinical outcome

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a safe and effective treatment in patients with unresectable liver malignancies. Since there is little information on its optimal approach, the feasibility, clinical outcome, and efficacy of laparoscopic RFA need further investigation. Twenty-three consecutive patients with unresectable hepatic malignancies were treated with RFA. RFA was performed percutaneously in 5 patients (5 tumors; median maximum diameter of 25 mm [range, 20-73]), via laparotomy in 9 (28 tumors; median maximum diameter of 38 mm [5-90]), and via laparoscopy in 9 (16 tumors; median maximum diameter of 35 mm [8-58]). Mortality and intraoperative complication rates were 0. In the laparoscopy and laparotomy groups, mean blood loss was 13 mL versus 421 mL and mean hospital stay was 5.7 versus 11.2 days, respectively (P = 0.0008 and P = 0.04). Postoperative complications occurred in one patient after laparoscopic RFA and in three after RFA via laparotomy. After a median follow-up of 12.2 months, local recurrence occurred in 2 patients (laparoscopic RFA, 1; percutaneous RFA, 1), and new hepatic tumors developed in 7 (laparoscopic RFA, 2/9; RFA via laparotomy, 5/9). Laparoscopic RFA is a safe and feasible treatment modality to achieve tumor destruction in selected patients with unresectable hepatic malignancies.     

Laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation of unresectable hepatic malignancies

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatic malignancies has been performed successfully via a percutaneous route or at laparotomy. We analyzed the efficacy and utility of laparoscopic intraoperative ultrasound and RFA in patients with unresectable hepatic malignancies. METHODS: Between November 1997 and November 1999, 27 patients with unresectable hepatic malignancies and no evidence of extrahepatic disease were entered in a phase 2 trial of laparoscopic intraoperative ultrasound and RFA. Real-time ultrasonography was used to guide RFA, and lesions were ablated at a temperature of 100 degrees C for 10 min. Overlapping ablations were performed for larger lesions. RESULTS: Additional tumors were identified in 10 (37%) of the 27 study patients by laparoscopy and laparoscopic intraoperative ultrasound despite extensive preoperative imaging. Radiofrequency ablation of 85 hepatic tumors yielded no mortality and only one case of postoperative bleeding. During a mean follow-up period of 14 months, four tumors (4.7%) locally recurred. Of the 27 patients, 11 (41%) remain free of disease at this writing; (22%) are alive with disease; and 10 (37%) have died with disease. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic RFA and intraoperative ultrasound constitute a safe and accurate method for ablation of unresectable hepatic tumors.     

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of colorectal hepatic metastases - initial experience. An adjunct technique to systemic chemotherapy for those with inoperable colorectal hepatic metastases

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Most patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinoma are unsuitable for resection. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been applied to such lesions at laparotomy. This study aimed to evaluate the less invasive approach of percutaneous RFA. METHOD: Patients with unresectable liver metastases identified on cross-sectional imaging were considered for percutaneous RFA either alone or in combination with systemic chemotherapy. Subjects with >6 lesions or lesions of maximum size >70 mm were excluded. Percutaneous RFA was applied under sedation and radiological guidance (CT/US). Treatment effect was determined by follow-up imaging. Actuarial survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: Thirty patients (21 males), median age 74.5 years (range 44-85 years), underwent percutaneous RFA to 56 lesions during 54 treatment sessions. The median size of lesion was 30 mm (range 8-70 mm). Fifteen lesions were treated more than once because of recurrence or incomplete ablation. The median ablation time per lesion was 12 min (range 4.5-36 min). Eleven patients had pre-procedural chemotherapy and 15 patients received chemotherapy after treatment. There was minimal associated morbidity (5.6% of treatments). Median hospital stay per treatment was 1 day (range 1-7). Median actuarial survival from the date of first percutaneous RFA was 22 months (95% CI 12.9-31.1 months). Eleven patients were alive at the time of data collection. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous RFA is a safe, well-tolerated intervention for unresectable hepatic metastases which can be repeated, if required. The technique may be associated with prolonged survival in this selected group of subjects. Future studies should consider the role of percutaneous RFA either in place of or as an adjunct to palliative chemotherapy.     

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation with transarterial embolization is useful for treatment of stage 1 renal cell carcinoma with surgical risk: Results at 2-year mean follow up

OBJECTIVES: Despite laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and laparoscopic cryotherapy being performed lately, an even less invasive treatment would be desirable in high-risk patients. Under local anesthesia with i.v. sedation, we were able to perform percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with renal arterial embolization for unresectable stage 1 (T1NoMo) renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We evaluated the feasibility, safety and therapeutic effects of this technique after a 2-year mean follow up. METHODS: Thirty-one patients who were not candidates for surgery underwent RFA for 36 stage 1 RCC. Twenty-eight tumors were percutaneously ablated 6 days after the tumor vessels were embolized. Dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed to evaluate treatment at completion. RESULTS: Tumor enhancement was eliminated after two RFA sessions in all tumors. Thirty tumors remained free of enhancement during a mean follow-up period of 24.3 months. There were no major complications related to the procedures though one instance of pyonephrosis, two of subcapsular hematomas, one of retroperitoneal hemorrhage and one of nausea were seen after RFA. Two patients died of other diseases (i.e. colon cancer and cerebral bleeding) 20 and 26 months after RFA treatment. One patient had a local recurrence of tumor and underwent re-RFA. The recurrence rate of RCC after successful RFA was 2.8%. There was no recurrence in patients who had tumors of less than 4 cm after RFA at a mean follow-up period of 24.3 months. Local control was achieved in 100% of T1NoMo tumors including the recurrence case that underwent re-RFA. CONCLUSIONS: The result of the present study at 2-year mean follow up showed percutaneous RFA was a feasible, safe and promising therapy for the treatment of unresectable stage 1 RCC, especially those smaller than 4 cm.     

Radiofrequency Ablation of Malignant Liver Tumors

Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is being used to treat primary and metastatic liver tumors. The indications, treatment planning, and limitations of hepatic RFA must be defined and refined by surgeons treating hepatic malignancies.Methods: A review of the experience using RFA to treat unresectable primary and secondary hepatic malignancies at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, and the G. Pascale National Cancer Institute in Naples, Italy, is provided. Patient selection, treatment approach, local recurrence rates, and overall cancer recurrence rates following RFA are described. The current literature on RFA of hepatic malignancies is reviewed.Results: RFA of hepatic tumors can be performed percutaneously, laparoscopically, or during an open surgical procedure. Incomplete treatment manifest as local recurrence is more common with a percutaneous approach. The morbidity and mortality rates associated with hepatic RFA are low. Local recurrence rates are low if meticulous treatment planning is performed. RFA can be combined safely with partial hepatic resection of large lesions. The long-term survival rates following RFA of primary and metastatic liver tumors have not yet been established.Conclusions: RFA of hepatic malignancies is a safe and promising technique to produce coagulative necrosis of unresectable hepatic malignancies. Experience with this treatment modality is not yet mature enough to establish long-term outcomes.     

Intraoperative radiofrequency ablation or cryoablation for hepatic malignancies

BACKGROUND: The majority of patients with primary or metastatic malignancies confined to the liver are not candidates for resection because of tumor size, location, multifocality, or inadequate functional hepatic reserve. Cryoablation has become a common treatment in select groups of these patients with unresectable liver tumors. However, hepatic cryoablation is associated with significant morbidity. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a technique that destroys liver tumors in situ by localized application of heat to produce coagulative necrosis. In this study, we compared the complication and early local recurrence rates in patients with unresectable malignant liver tumors treated with either cryoablation or RFA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with hepatic malignancies were entered into two consecutive prospective, nonrandomized trials. The liver tumors were treated intraoperatively with cryoablation or RFA; intraoperative ultrasonography was used to guide placement of cryoprobes or RFA needles. All patients were followed up postoperatively to assess complications, treatment response, and local recurrence of malignant disease. RESULTS: Cryoablation was performed on 88 tumors in 54 patients, and RFA was used to treat 138 tumors in 92 patients. Treatment-related complications, including 1 postoperative death, occurred in 22 of the 54 patients treated with cryoablation (40.7% complication rate). In contrast, there were no treatment-related deaths and only 3 complications after RFA (3.3% complication rate, P<0.001). With a median follow-up of 15 months in both patient groups, tumor has recurred in 3 of 138 lesions treated with RFA (2.2%), versus 12 of 88 tumors treated with cryoablation (13.6%, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: RFA is a safe, well-tolerated treatment for patients with unresectable hepatic malignancies. This study indicates that (1) complications occur much less frequently following RFA of liver tumors compared with cryoablation of liver tumors, and (2) early local tumor recurrence is infrequent following RFA.     

Radiofrequency ablation of liver tumors: influence of technique and tumor size

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) of liver tumors is done by both radiologists and surgeons by using various techniques for a variety of indications. This report describes our initial experience with RFA in 45 patients with hepatic malignancies. METHODS: Patients with primary or secondary hepatic malignancies who were not candidates for resection underwent ultrasound-guided RFA under general anesthesia. End points were recurrence within or adjacent to the ablation zone or new hepatic or extrahepatic lesions. Product limit survival estimates for both ablation site recurrence-free survival and disease-free survival were calculated and compared for tumor size (less than 4 cm or 4 cm or greater), operative approach (percutaneous, laparoscopy, or open), and tumor type (hepatocellular cancer, colorectal cancer, or other metastatic disease). RESULTS: Patients with hepatocellular cancer (n = 11) and with secondary hepatic malignancies (n = 34) had 84 lesions ablated with a median follow-up of 12 months. Largest ablated tumor size of 4 cm or greater (P <.001) and the percutaneous approach (P <.02) were associated with worse ablation site recurrence-free survival but not overall disease-free survival (P =.06). The 15 patients with colorectal cancer had worse disease-free survival compared with other tumor types (P <.01). CONCLUSIONS: RFA of hepatic malignancies can be done by using a percutaneous, laparoscopic, or open approach. Local control appears superior for tumors less than 4 cm and when an open surgical approach is used. The difficulty in achieving prolonged disease-free survival, especially in colorectal cancer, underscores the need to investigate multimodality approaches that include local ablative techniques. Future RFA studies should consider tumor size, operative technique, and tumor type in trial design.     

Recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma successfully treated with radiofrequency thermal ablation

We report a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who was successfully treated with radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA). A 71-year-old man was admitted to our hospital in August 1996 with recurrence of HCC. Partial hepatic resection had been performed in January 1993 for HCC that had measured 1.3 cm in segment VIII, and subsequently he had received six sessions of percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) for treatment of recurrence. Dynamic computed tomography (CT) performed in August 1996 showed two recurrent tumors, one measuring 3.8 cm in segment VIII adjacent to the right hepatic vein, and one measuring 2.0 cm in segment V. Three sessions of percutaneous RFA were performed. After this treatment, most of the tumor in segment VIII and all the tumor in segment V showed low density on dynamic CT, and the right hepatic vein was preserved. However, a remnant of the mass appeared near the right hepatic vein 2 months after the treatment. An additional two sessions of RFA were performed. After the end of treatment, serum alpha-fetoprotein level dropped to the normal range, and no sign of recurrence has been observed until September 1998. Received for publication on Aug. 17, 1998; accepted on Dec. 10, 1998     

Radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma

The majority of patients with primary or metastatic hepatic tumors are not candidates for resection because of tumor size, location near major intrahepatic blood vessels precluding a margin-negative resection, multifocality, or inadequate hepatic function related to coexistent cirrhosis. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an evolving technology being used to treat patients with unresectable primary and metastatic hepatic cancers. RFA produces coagulative necrosis of tumor through local tissue heating. Liver tumors are treated percutaneously, laparoscopically, or during laparotomy using ultrasonography to identify tumors and to guide placement of the RFA needle electrode. For tumors smaller than 2.0 cm in diameter, one or two deployments of the monopolar multiple array needle electrode is sufficient to produce complete coagulative necrosis of the tumor. However, with increasing size of the tumor, there is a concomitant increase in the number of deployments of the needle electrode and the overall time necessary to produce complete coagulative necrosis of the tumor. In general, RFA is a safe, well-tolerated, effective treatment for unresectable hepatic malignancies less than 6.0 cm in diameter. Effective treatment of larger tumors awaits the development of more powerful, larger array monopolar and bipolar RFA technologies.     

Radiofrequency ablation of 231 unresectable hepatic tumors: Indications, limitations, and complications

Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is increasingly used for the local destruction of unresectable hepatic malignancies. There is little information on its optimal approach or potential complications. Methods: Since late 1997, we have undertaken 91 RFA procedures to ablate 231 unresectable primary or metastatic liver tumors in 84 patients. RFA was performed via celiotomy (n=39), laparoscopy (n=27), or a percutaneous approach (n=25). Patients were followed with spiral computed tomographic (CT) scans at 1 to 2 weeks postprocedure and then every 3 months for 2 years. Results: Intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) detected intrahepatic disease not evident on the preoperative scans of 25 of 66 patients (38%) undergoing RFA via celiotomy or laparoscopy. In 38 of 84 patients (45%), RFA was combined with resection or cryosurgical ablation (CSA), or both. RFA was used to treat an average of 2.8 lesions per patient, and the median size of treated lesions was 2 cm (range, 0.3–9 cm). The average hospital stay was 3.6 days overall (1.8 days for percutaneous and laparoscopic cases). Ten patients underwent a second RFA procedure (sequential ablations) and, in one case, a third RFA procedure for large (one patient), progressive (seven patients), and/or recurrent (three patients) lesions. Seven (8%) patients had complications: one skin burn; one postoperative hemorrhage; two simple hepatic abscesses; one hepatic abscess associated with diaphragmatic heat necrosis following sequential percutaneous ablations of a large lesion; one postoperative myocardial infarction; and one liver failure. There were three deaths, one (1%) of which was directly related to the RFA procedure. Three of the complications, including one RFA-related death, occurred after percutaneous RFA. At a median follow-up of 9 months (range, 1–27 months), 15 patients (18%) had recurrences at an RFA site, and 36 patients (43%) remained clinically free of disease. Conclusions: Celiotomy or laparoscopic approaches are preferred for RFA because they allow IOUS, which may demonstrate occult hepatic disease. Operative RFA also allows concomitant resection, CSA, or placement of a hepatic artery infusion pump, and isolation of the liver from adjacent organs. Percutaneous RFA should be reserved for patients at high risk for anesthesia, those with recurrent or progressive lesions, and those with smaller lesions sufficiently isolated from adjacent organs. Complications may be minimized when these approaches are applied selectively. Presented at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the Society of Surgical Oncology, March 16–19, 2000, New Orleans, Louisiana.     

Long-term survival after radiofrequency ablation of complex unresectable liver tumors

HYPOTHESIS: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) may improve survival of high-risk patients with unresectable and refractory tumors. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a prospective database. SETTING: A tertiary referral cancer center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between November 1, 1997, and January 31, 2005, we performed 219 RFA procedures to ablate 521 hepatic tumors in 181 patients. RESULTS: Of the 181 patients, 52% were male and 48% were female, and the mean age was 61.3 years (age range, 27-91 years). Radiofrequency ablation was performed via celiotomy (n = 135), via laparoscopy (n = 48), or percutaneously (n = 36). In 106 patients (79%), RFA was used in combination with surgical resection. The most common tumors included colorectal cancer (40.9%), hepatocellular carcinoma (14.9%), carcinoid tumor (13.8%), melanoma (9.4%), and breast cancer (5.0%). The average number of tumors per patient was 3.3 tumors. The average number of RFA-treated lesions per procedure was 2.38 lesions; the mean lesion size was 3.56 cm (lesion size range, 0.8-9.0 cm). At a mean follow-up of 33.2 months (follow-up range, 12-91 months), overall survival was 48.3 months for carcinoid tumors, 25.2 months for hepatocellular carcinoma, 18.5 months for melanoma, 29.7 months for colorectal cancer, and 30.1 months for breast cancer. Seventy-eight patients (43%) developed recurrences. Of 521 tumors that were treated, 125 (24%) recurred; the incidence of local recurrence was 28% for tumors larger than 3 cm vs 18% for tumors 3 cm or smaller (P = .04). Twenty-nine patients underwent serial ablations. Seventy-one patients (39%) were disease free at last follow-up. CONCLUSION: A significant number of patients whose hepatic malignancies are unresectable or refractory to chemotherapy may be considered for RFA as part of a multimodality therapeutic regimen. In these patients, RFA is safe and may prolong survival.     

Radio-frequency ablation of large, nonresectable hepatic tumors

Patients with nonresectable hepatic metastases who are not treated survive an average of 6 months. We report our experience with radio-frequency ablation (RFA) of nonresectable hepatic tumors 4 cm or greater in size. A retrospective chart review of all patients undergoing RFA of hepatic tumors 4 cm or greater from October 1, 1999, through August 31, 2002, was performed. Thirty-six patients were identified who underwent RFA of tumors 4 cm or greater. There were a total of 81 tumors ablated in the 36 patients. Twenty patients underwent RFA only; seven patients received RFA plus a wedge resection. Five patients were treated with RFA followed by chemoembolization. Two patients underwent RFA plus placement of a hepatic artery infusion pump. The median tumor size was 5 cm (range, 4-14 cm). Median patient follow-up was 26 months (range, 1-54 months). Patients with metastatic colon cancer had the longest median survival of 28 months (range, 1 and 48 months). The survival of primary hepatocellular carcinoma was worse with a median survival of 20 months (range, 1-36 months). At last follow-up, 11 (30%) of the patients remain alive and disease free. There were no perioperative deaths and one intraoperative complication. In our experience, RFA of larger tumors is effective and safe. Tumor size should not be an absolute contraindication to RFA of nonresectable hepatic tumors.     

Combined Resection and Radiofrequency Ablation for Advanced Hepatic Malignancies: Results in 172 Patients

Background: Resection combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a novel approach in patients who are otherwise unresectable. The objective of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of hepatic resection combined with RFA.Methods: Patients with multifocal hepatic malignancies were treated with surgical resection combined with RFA. All patients were followed prospectively to assess complications, treatment response, and recurrence.Results: Seven hundred thirty seven tumors in 172 patients were treated (124 with colorectal metastases; 48 with noncolorectal metastases). RFA was used to treat 350 tumors. Combined modality treatment was well tolerated with low operative times and minimal blood loss. The postoperative complication rate was 19.8% with a mortality rate of 2.3%. At a median follow-up of 21.3 months, tumors had recurred in 98 patients (56.9%). Failure at the RFA site was uncommon (2.3%). A combined total number of tumors treated with resection and RFA >10 was associated with a faster time to recurrence (P = .02). The median actuarial survival time was 45.5 months. Patients with noncolorectal metastases and those with less operative blood loss had an improved survival (P = .03 and P = .04, respectively), whereas radiofrequency ablating a lesion >3 cm adversely impacted survival (HR = 1.85, P = .04).Conclusions: Resection combined with RFA provides a surgical option to a group of patients with liver metastases who traditionally are unresectable, and may increase long-term survival.     

超声引导经皮复合热消融技术治疗中、大肝细胞癌

目的　评估超声引导复合热消融技术治疗中、大肝细胞癌 (HCC)的应用价值。方法在超声引导下经皮采用多针插入、多点能量输出的射频消融 (RFA)或微波消融 (MWA)技术 ,治疗 6 8例HCC患者共 73个肿瘤结节 ,平均直径 (4 5± 1 7)cm (3 1～ 13 0cm) ,经 1 9～ 6 7 6个月 [平均(16 0± 14 8)个月 ]随访 ,检测局部及远期治疗效果。结果　治疗后合并肝包膜下血肿及皮肤烧伤的患者各 1例。肿瘤完全消融率 78 1% (5 7/73) ,2 4 6 % (14 /5 7)的病灶出现局部肿瘤进展 ,远处复发率 5 6 7% (38/6 7) ,1、3、5年生存率分别为 6 2 3%、2 9 6 %、2 1 6 % ,中位生存时间为 18 6个月 (95 %可信区间为 10 9～ 2 6 3个月 )。RFA与MWA在完全消融率、局部肿瘤进展率与远处复发率、生存率方面差异均无显著意义。结论　经皮复合热消融技术治疗不能手术切除的中、大肝细胞癌创伤小 ,可获得良好的局部控制和远期疗效 ,RFA与MWA疗效无明显差异     

Radiofrequency ablation for unresectable hepatic tumors

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a relatively new treatment for unresectable hepatic tumors. The purpose of this analysis was to examine the frequency of complications and local recurrence associated with RFA. METHODS: Patients who underwent RFA of hepatic tumors with curative intent were included in this study. At laparotomy, RFA was performed using intraoperative ultrasound guidance. Computed tomography scans were obtained in the immediate postoperative period and every 3 to 6 months thereafter. RESULTS: Forty patients underwent RFA for 122 hepatic tumors. Thirty-one patients had metastatic lesions from colorectal cancer; 9 had other liver tumors. Complications occurred in 8 patients. With 9.5 months median follow-up, 6 patients had local recurrence of their ablated tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Our initial experience shows that RFA can effectively eradicate unresectable hepatic tumors. The rate and severity of complications appear acceptable. However, further study is necessary to assess long-term recurrence rates and effect on overall survival.     

Hepato-pericardial fistula following radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for liver metastasis: a case report and review of the literature

Introduction  Recent large-scale studies have demonstrated the efficiency and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for unresectable hepatic tumors. Nevertheless, severe side effects especially relating to non-target thermal injury have occurred after radiofrequency ablation. Case report  We observed the development of a hepato-pericardial fistula leading to pericardial empyema after RFA of a metastatic hepatic lesion. Concerning the genesis of the fistula, development from thermal damages in the diaphragm and pericardium as well as abscess formation in the liver is assumed. Treatment consisted of percutaneous drainage and flushing via remaining hepatic and pericardial catheters. Recovery was achieved conservatively after 2 months. To the best of our knowledge, a hepato-pericardial fistula as a complication of RFA has not been reported so far. The review of the literature revealed several cases of intrahepatic abscess formation after RFA as well as one case of pericardial empyema due to perforation of hepatic amoebic abscess. Two cases of pericardial tamponade after RFA are reported in the literature leading to death. Treatment via percutaneous drainage has been successful in this case and correlates with the successful treatment of abscess formation after RFA of metastatic pancreatic cancer. Other authors suggest pericardectomy or thoracotomy in the treatment of pericardial empyema. Conclusion  The management of hepatic abscess formation subsequent to RFA of metastatic hepatic malignancies is not well described. We regard the percutaneous drainage as treatment of pericardial empyema as well as hepatic abscess as less invasive and sufficient, as demonstrated in this case.     

Laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation of neuroendocrine liver metastases: a 10-year experience evaluating predictors of survival

BACKGROUND: A decade ago we reported the first use of laparoscopic radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) for the treatment of neuroendocrine hepatic metastases. This study analyzes our 10-year experience and determines characteristics predictive of survival. METHODS: Eighty RFA sessions were performed in 63 patients with neuroendocrine hepatic metastases in a prospective trial. All patients had unresectable disease with computed tomography (CT) documented lesion and/or symptom progression. Perioperative morbidity, symptom relief, disease progression, and long-term survival were analyzed. Data are expressed as mean +/- standard error of the mean (SEM). RESULTS: There were 22 women and 41 men, age 54.4 +/- 1.5 years followed for 2.8 +/- 0.3 years (range, 0.1 to 7.8). Tumor types included 36 carcinoid, 18 pancreatic islet cell, and 9 medullary thyroid cancer. RFA was performed 1.6 +/- 0.3 years after the diagnosis of liver metastases. Number of lesions treated was 6 +/- 0.5 (range, 1 to 16). Forty-nine patients underwent 1 ablation session, and 14 (22%) had repeat sessions caused by disease progression. Mean hospital stay was 1.1 days. Perioperative morbidity was 5%, with no 30-day mortality. Fifty-seven percent of patients exhibited symptoms. One week postoperatively 92% of these reported at least partial symptom relief, and 70% had significant or complete relief. Duration of symptom control was 11 +/- 2.3 months. CT follow-up demonstrated 6.3% local tumor recurrence. Larger dominant liver tumor size and male gender adversely impacted survival (P < .05). Median survival times were 11.0 years postdiagnosis of primary tumor, 5.5 years postdiagnosis of neuroendocrine hepatic metastases, and 3.9 years post-1st RFA. Survival for patients undergoing repeat ablation sessions was not significantly lower. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the largest series of neuroendocrine hepatic metastases treated by RFA. In this group of patients with aggressive neuroendocrine tumor metastases and limited treatment options, RFA provides effective local control with prompt symptomatic improvement.     

Radiofrequency-ablation of unresectable primary and secondary liver tumors: results in 88 patients

Background and aims Radiofrequency-ablation (RFA) is increasingly used for destruction of unresectable primary and secondary liver tumors. We report our experience in the use of RFA for the management of unresectable hepatic malignancies. Patients and methods Between February 2000 and December 2004 we have undertaken 120 RFA procedures to ablate 426 unresectable primary or metastatic liver tumors in 88 patients. RFA was performed via laparotomy (n=68), laparoscopy (n=9) or a percutaneous approach (n=43). Primary liver cancer was treated in seven patients (8%) and metastatic liver tumors were treated in 81 patients (92%). All patients were followed to assess complications, treatment response and recurrence of malignant disease. Results Procedure-related complication rate was low (3.4%). During a mean follow-up of 21.2 months, 15 patients had local tumor progression (17%), 21 patients (23,9%) had new malignant disease and 27 patients (30.7%) died from intervention-unrelated complications of their malignant disease. Additional liver lesions were identified in 27 (35%) of 77 cases by intraoperative ultrasound. Thirty-six patients received simultaneous resection and RFA. Conclusion RFA is a safe, well-tolerated and effective treatment for patients with unresectable primary and secondary liver malignancies.