Early diffuse recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation: analysis of risk factors

Objective

To evaluate the risk factors affecting early diffuse recurrence within 1 year of percutaneous ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

Out of 146 patients who received transcatheter arterial chemoembolisation (TACE) for treatment of recurrent HCC after percutaneous ultrasound-guided RFA, we selected 23 patients with early diffuse recurrence. Early diffuse recurrence was defined as three or more new recurrent HCCs within 1 year of initial RFA. As a control group, we selected 23 patients, matched exactly for age and sex, in which there was no local tumour progression or new recurrence after RFA. To analyse the risk factors, we examined patient factors and tumour factors.

Results

Recurrent tumours occurred from 30 to 365 days after RFA (median time, 203 days). Univariate analysis indicated that larger tumour size and poorly defined margin were significant risk factors (P?<?0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that poorly defined margin was a significant risk factor (P?<?0.05).

Conclusion

Larger tumour size and poorly defined margin may be risk factors for early diffuse recurrence of HCC within 1 year of RFA. Tumours with such risk factors should be treated with a combination of TACE to minimise the potential for therapeutic failure.

Key Points

? Ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is widely used for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). ? Early diffuse recurrence after RFA is an important prognostic factor ? The risk factors for recurrence are larger tumour size and poorly defined margins ? Tumours with such risk factors should be treated with transarterial chemoembolisation.     

Intrahepatic recurrence after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma: analysis of the pattern and risk factors

PURPOSE: To evaluate the pattern and risks for intrahepatic recurrence after percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 62 patients with 72 HCCs (< or =4 cm) who were treated with percutaneous RF ablation. The mean follow-up period was 19.1 months (6.0-49.1). We assessed the incidence and cumulative disease-free survival of local tumor progression (LTP) and intrahepatic distant recurrence (IDR). To analyze the risk factors, we examined the following, for the LTP: (1) tumor diameter, (2) contact with vessels, (3) degree of approximation to hepatic hilum, (4) contact with hepatic capsule, (5) presence of ablative safety margin, (6) degree of benign periablational enhancement and (7) serum alpha-fetoprotein; for the IDR: (1) severity of hepatic disease, (2) presence of HBsAg, (3) serum alpha-fetoprotein, (4) whether RF ablation was the initial treatment and (5) multiplicity of tumor for IDR. RESULTS: The incidence of overall recurrence, LTP and IDR was 62.9%, 26.4% and 53.2%, respectively. The cumulative disease-free survival rates were 52%, 82% and 56% at 1 year, 26%, 63% and 30% at 2 years, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that the significant risk factors for LTP were: a tumor with a diameter >3 cm, contact of HCC with a vessel and an insufficient safety margin (p<0.05). A multivariate stepwise Cox hazard model showed that the measurement of a tumor diameter >3 cm and insufficient safety margin were independent factors. Only the increased serum alpha-fetoprotein was a significant risk factor for IDR (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Intrahepatic recurrence after percutaneous RF ablation is common. Large HCC (>3 cm) with high serum alpha-fetoprotein should be treated more aggressively because of higher risk for recurrence.     

Recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma: percutaneous radiofrequency ablation after hepatectomy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the liver after hepatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five patients with 53 recurrent HCC tumors in the liver underwent percutaneous RF ablation with ultrasonographic guidance. All patients had a history of hepatic resection for HCC. The mean diameter of recurrent tumors was 2.1 cm (range, 0.8-4.0 cm). All patients were followed up for at least 10 months after ablation (range, 10-40 months; mean, 23 months). Therapeutic efficacy and complications were evaluated with multiphase helical computed tomography (CT) at regular follow-up visits. Overall and disease-free survival rates were calculated. RESULTS: At follow-up CT after initial RF ablation, 11 (21%) of 53 ablated HCC tumor sites showed residual tumor or local tumor progression. After additional RF ablation, complete ablation of 46 (87%) of 53 tumors was attained. Also at initial follow-up CT, before either additional RF ablation or other treatment was performed, 21 (47%) of 45 patients were found to have 41 new HCC tumors at other liver sites. Of these, nine tumors in eight patients were treatable with a second application of RF ablation. Overall survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years were 82%, 72%, and 54%, respectively. No deaths or complications requiring further treatment occurred as a result of RF ablation. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous RF ablation is an effective and safe method for treating recurrent HCC in the liver after hepatectomy, with a good overall patient survival rate.     

Ultrasonography-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinomas: A feasibility scoring system for planning sonography

Purpose

This study was designed to evaluate whether a feasibility scoring system for planning sonography is a reliable predictor of a safe and complete ablation in ultrasonography (US)-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs).

Materials and methods

We retrospectively evaluated the therapeutic outcomes of 108 consecutive patients (M:F, 78:30; mean age, 57.4 years) with a single nodular HCC (mean diameter, 2.0 cm) treated by percutaneous RFA. All patients were assessed for the feasibility of performing an RFA at planning sonography prior to the ablation. The feasibility scoring system consisted of five categories: the safe electrode path (P); the vital organs adjacent to the RFA zone (O); tumor size (S); tumor conspicuity (C); and the heat-sink effect (H). Each category was divided into a four-point scale [1-4]. If a score of 4 in any category was determined, the patient was not considered to be a suitable candidate for percutaneous RFA. We assessed if the score of each category, safety score (P + O), and curability score (S + C + H) correlated with a safe and complete ablation using the chi-squared test and likelihood ratio test for trend.

Results

The technical success rate was 100% (108/108) based on CT images obtained immediately after ablation. There was no 30-day mortality after RFA. There were major complications (one case of severe vasovagal reflex, one case of hemoperitoneum and one case of a pseudoaneurysm) in three (2.7%) patients, and minor complications (one case of a biloma, one case of subsegmental infarction and one case of abscess) in three (2.7%) patients. Post-ablation syndrome as a side effect was noted in 38 (35.1%) of 108 patients. The primary technique effectiveness rate at 1 month was 95.1% (105/108). Local tumor progression was noted in eight (7.6%) of 105 patients during the follow-up period (range, 3.0-11.5 months; median, 5.8 months; mean, 5.7 months). There was no significant single category to predict complication and local tumor progression (Fisher's exact test, p > 0.05). Contrary to the safety score for the probability of complication (p > 0.05), the curability score was significantly associated with the probability of local tumor progression (likelihood ratio test for trend; p = 0.03).

Conclusion

The new feasibility scoring system for planning US can be used as objective criteria to predict therapeutic efficacy rather than the safety of percutaneous RFA of an HCC.     

Cholangitis and liver abscess after percutaneous ablation therapy for liver tumors: incidence and risk factors

PURPOSE: To determine the risk factors of cholangitis and liver abscess occurring after percutaneous ablation therapy for liver tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 1995 and September 2002, 358 patients with 455 liver tumors underwent a total of 683 ablation procedures, such as percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), percutaneous microwave coagulation (PMC), and radiofrequency (RF) ablation therapy. With a retrospective review of medical records, the rates and outcomes of cholangitis and/or liver abscess occurring after ablation therapy were evaluated. The relationship between cholangitis and/or liver abscess and multiple variables (age, disease, Child-Pugh class, size of nodules, multiplicity of nodules, history of transcatheter arterial embolization, presence of bilioenteric anastomosis, and lack of prophylactic antibiotics administration) were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Cholangitis and/or liver abscess occurred in 10 sessions (1.5%) in 10 patients: six sessions after PEI, three sessions after PMC, and one session after RF ablation. Both cholangitis and liver abscess were noted in seven sessions, cholangitis was noted in two, and liver abscess was noted in one. Six patients recovered, but two developed recurrent cholangitis and liver abscess, one developed lung abscess complicated with liver abscess, and one died of septic shock associated with cholangitis. On stepwise regression analysis, bilioenteric anastomosis was the sole significant predictor of cholangitis and/or liver abscess formation (P <.001; odds ratio = 36.4; 95% CI = 9.67-136.9). CONCLUSION: Bilioenteric anastomosis strongly correlated with the development of cholangitis and/or liver abscess after percutaneous ablation therapy. Close posttreatment attention should be paid to this subgroup of patients.     

Risk factors for recurrence of small hepatocellular carcinoma after long-term follow-up of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as a local therapy for liver cancer is widely used. The study is to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of RFA on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and identify the risk factors for recurrence. Clinical records of 124 patients with 135 small HCC with percutaneous RFA as a first-line treatment modality were evaluated in Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital from October 2001 to December 2006. With a median follow-up period of 46 months after RFA therapy, the 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year cumulative survival rates and disease-free survival rates were 91, 70, 61, 48 and 40% and 64, 44, 31, 24 and 24%, respectively. The total recurrence and metastasis rates were 50 and 6.5%, respectively. Independent risk factors for recurrence after RFA included tumor with diameter more than 3 cm, located near the intrahepatic blood vessels, subcapsular locations and PT prolonged more than 3 s. Severe complications occurred in 2 cases (1.6%), including biliary tract hemorrhage and subphrenic effusion. RFA appears to be a safe and effective treatment for HCC. It will benefit the efficacy of RFA therapy if those risk factors are considered during the clinical practice.     

CT引导下经皮射频消融治疗较大原发性肝癌的临床应用

目的 探讨CT引导下经皮射频消融(RFA)治疗较大原发性肝癌的疗效.方法 对27例TACE治疗效果欠佳的较大原发性肝癌患者行CT引导下经皮RFA治疗,肿瘤大小5.4-11.0 cm,平均6.2 cm.单发病灶23例,2个病灶4例,共31个病灶.AFP阳性22例.术后通过增强CT及AFP检测评价疗效,所有病例随访2～20个月.结果 射频治疗后1个月随访显示,31个肿瘤中14个(45.2%)肿瘤完全坏死,内部及边缘无明显强化;17个肿瘤部分坏死.22例AFP阳性患者,AFP明显降低15例(68.2%),不变3例(13.6%),升高4例(18.2%).并发症中3例出现表皮烫伤,1例顽固性呃逆,1例肝内出血,1例肝脓肿,1例术后出现严重低蛋白血症,术后2个月死亡.患者中位生存期为9.8个月,1年累计生存率29%.结论 对于不可切除的较大原发性肝癌,RFA是较有效的局部介入治疗方法,合理应用RFA治疗,可提高患者生活质量并延长患者的生存时间.     

超声引导经皮射频消融治疗肝癌的临床疗效分析

目的：探讨超声引导经皮射频消融治疗肝癌的临床疗效。方法对我院接受超声引导经皮射频消融治疗的56例原发性肝癌患者的临床资料进行分析。结果在术后1周,超声检查显示肝癌病灶为不均匀的回声增强,边界模糊,范围大于原病灶,内无血流信号,1个月后病灶表现为高回声,增强CT示病灶无强化。本组56例患者中8例患者的AFP在正常范围内,为14．29％（8/56）,术前及术后均＜10ng/ml,其余48例患者AFP值均不同程度地增高。结论超声引导下经皮射频消融治疗是一种安全有效的微创治疗法,值得临床推广。     

Complications after lung radiofrequency ablation: risk factors for lung inflammation

This retrospective study was conducted to review the complications of lung radiofrequency (RF) ablation and to clarify the effects of inflammation after lung RF ablation on mortality and morbidity. Complications were evaluated by reviewing medical records on an RF session basis. The C-reactive protein (CRP) value was used as an indicator of inflammation and was measured before and every 1-2 days during the hospital stay after RF ablation. The relationships between CRP values and patient baselines were evaluated to identify factors affecting lung inflammation. 130 patients who underwent 327 lung RF ablation sessions were enrolled in this study. The major complication rate was 18.3% (60/327). Inflammation-related complications such as interstitial pneumonia (n = 2) and aseptic pleuritis (n = 2) developed in four sessions (1.2%). Death occurred in two patients with interstitial pneumonia (0.6%). The mean CRP value increased significantly from 1.3+/-2.6 mg dl(-1) to 3.4+/-5.6 mg dl(-1) (p<0.01) after RF ablation. Large tumour size (>or=2 cm) and previous external-beam radiotherapy were significant factors associated with an increased CRP value in both univariate and multivariate analyses. In conclusion, although the incidence rate is low, fatal lung inflammation may develop after lung RF ablation. Large tumour size and previous external-beam radiotherapy are risk factors for severe lung inflammation.     

TACE联合射频消融治疗原发性肝癌疗效的影响因素分析

目的 探讨射频消融(RFA)联合TACE治疗原发性肝癌完全缓解的影响因素.方法 62例原发性肝癌患者在TACE后1个月内在静脉麻醉下行CT引导RFA治疗,在1个月后采用多期增强CT或平扫加动态增强MRI评估肿瘤是否完全消融.结果 完全消融率为79%,肿瘤残留率21%.肿瘤最大径在30 mm以下的完全消融率为100%,30 ～ 50 mm完全消融率为92.6%,50 ～ 70 mm完全消融率为53.8%,而最大径超过70 mm的患者完全消融率仅22.2%(P ＜ 0.01);肿瘤距离肝脏脏面≥ 10 mm和＜ 10 mm的患者完全消融率分别为83.7%和46.2%(P ＝ 0.01);单发肿瘤和多发肿瘤患者完全消融率分别为84.8%和50%(P ＝ 0.014).结论 肿瘤最大径是影响肝癌TACE后完全消融的重要因素.影响肿瘤完全消融的因素还包括肿瘤毗邻肝脏脏面,肿瘤多发等.     

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous thermal ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma using microwave and radiofrequency ablation

AIM: To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of thermal ablation for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using microwave and radiofrequency (RF) energy application. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 190 nodules in 97 patients (84 male, 13 female; mean age 53.4 years, range 24-74 years) with HCC were treated with microwave or RF ablation in the last 4 years. The applicators were introduced into the tumours under conscious analgesic sedation by intravenous administration of fentanyl citrate and droperidol and local anaesthesia in both thermal ablation procedures. The patients were then followed up with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) to evaluate treatment response. Survival was analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Complete ablation was obtained in 92.6% (176/190) nodules. The complete ablation rates were 94.6% (106/112) in microwave ablation and 89.7% (70/78) in RF ablation. The complete ablation rates in tumours/=4.0 cm were 93.1, 93.8 and 86.4%, respectively. Local recurrence was found in 9.5% nodules and the rates in tumours/=4.0 cm in diameter were 3.4, 9.9 and 31.8%, respectively. In the follow-up period, 7.1% nodules ablated by microwave and 12.8% by RF presented local recurrence. The 1, 2 and 3-year distant recurrence-free survivals were 47.2, 34.9 and 31.0%, respectively. Estimated mean survival was 32 months, and 1, 2 and 3-year cumulative survivals were 75.6, 58.5, and 50.0%, respectively. One and 2 years survivals of Child-Pugh class A, B and C patients were 83.8 and 70.4%, 78.2 and 53.2%, 36.3 and 27.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Thermal ablation therapy by means of microwave and RF energy application is an effective and safe therapeutic technique for hepatocellular carcinoma. Large tumours can be completely ablated, but have a significantly higher risk of local recurrence at follow-up.     

Changes in bile ducts after radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma: frequency and clinical significance

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to determine the frequency of bile duct changes after radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma and to evaluate their clinical significance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 1999 and August 2003, 389 patients with 521 hepatocellular carcinomas underwent a total of 571 sessions of radiofrequency ablation. The maximum dimension of the tumors measured on sonography was 2.4 +/- 0.9 cm (mean +/- SD) (range, 0.5-5.0 cm). The frequency and type of bile duct changes resulting from radiofrequency ablation, the time interval between radiofrequency ablation and the first appearance of bile duct changes, and the serial changes at follow-up CT were analyzed. Complications related to bile duct changes were also evaluated by reviewing medical records and CT scans. RESULTS: Bile duct changes occurred in 69 (12%) of 571 sessions and 66 (17%) of 389 patients. Bile duct changes seen on CT included mild dilatation of upstream bile ducts surrounding the ablation zone in 57 patients (82.6%), biloma in the ablation zone in four patients (5.8%), and both in eight patients (11.6%). The mean time interval between radiofrequency ablation and the initial appearance of bile duct change was 1.6 months (range, immediate-9 months). Most (87%) of the 69 patients with bile duct changes showed no progression on follow-up CT, and only nine (13%) had slight progression. All patients but one, in whom cholangitis developed, had no major complications requiring specific treatment during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Although bile duct changes were frequent after the radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma, most were of no clinical significance, and major complications requiring additional treatment were rare.     

Successful treatment of hepatocellular adenoma with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to report the safe and successful treatment of hepatocellular adenoma with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation. CONCLUSION: Our limited experience indicates that percutaneous radiofrequency ablation is both safe and effective in the treatment of the small hepatocellular adenoma in carefully selected patients.