微波消融与手术切除治疗原发性小肝癌对癌细胞播散入血的影响

目的 对比研究微波消融与手术切除治疗原发性小肝癌（PHC）对癌细胞播散入血及外周血细胞免疫功能的影响。方法 将符合条件的40例患者,分为微波组19例,手术组21例,于治疗前、治疗后30min、1d及7d采静脉血,实时定量巢式RT-PCR检测外周血甲胎蛋白（AFP）mRNA,并检测CD3、CD4、CD8、CD4／CD8及肝功能。结果 手术组和微波组患者术后血清ALT及AST均升高,手术组升高较微波组显著;与术前相比,微波组患者术后7d内CD3、CD4、CD8和CD4／CD8无明显变化（P〉0．05）,手术组CD3、CD4和CD4／CD8较术前降低;实时定量巢式RT-PCR检测两组患者外周血标本,治疗前67．5％（27／40）患者可检测出AFP mRNA拷贝数,治疗后表达量增高,两组之间比较,差异无统计学意义。随访患者1～16个月,其外周血中AFP mRNA持续表达者,复发转移的可能性大。结论 微波消融或手术切除原发性小肝癌,可造成患者外周血中脱落肝癌细胞增多,患者外周血细胞免疫功能手术后降低,而微波消融后得以很好保护,微波消融对肝功能的损伤较小,此方法治疗PHC有一定的临床应用价值。

Influence of microwave ablation and surgical resection of small primary hepatocellular carcinoma on hematogenous dissemination of tumor cells

OBJECTIVE: To study the influence of percutaneous microwave ablation (PMA) and surgical resection for patients with small primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) on dissemination of tumor cells in peripheral blood determined by AFP mRNA. METHODS: Forty patients with small PHC (The maximal diameter < or = 5 cm) confirmed histologically were included in this study. All the patients had single tumor nodule only without metastasis. Of the 40 patients, 19 were treated by PMA and 21 by surgical resection. Blood samples were collected and tested immediately before treatment, 30 min after the mass ablated/resected, 1 d and 7 d later by RTD-Nested-RT-PCR for AFP mRNA. The CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD4/CD8 in blood, and hepatic function were tested at the same time points as well. RESULTS: After treatment, ALT and AST in peripheral blood increased in both groups, but more intensely in the surgical group. The CD3, CD4 and CD4/CD8 in peripheral blood decreased at 30 min, 1 day and 7 days after surgical resection, and the lowest value was at 30 min after surgery. The immune function was kept at the same level as pre-treatment in the PMA group. AFP mRNA copies in blood could be detected in 27 of 40 patients (67.5%) in two groups before treatment, and the copy number was increased after treatment. There was no significant difference between the two groups. The patients were followed up for 1 - 16 months. AFP mRNA copies in blood could be detected persistently in the 4 patients with extrahepatic metastasis or liver recurrence. CONCLUSION: Surgical resection and microwave ablation may cause PHC cells dissemination into the blood circulation in patients with small PHC, and there was no difference between the two treatment groups. The cellular immune function in peripheral blood is decreased after surgical resection, but is maintained at the same level as pre-treatment in the PMA group. The impairment of liver function is less severe after PMA treatment than surgical resection. PMA may provide certain value for clinical management of small hepatocellular carcinoma.