肝癌射频消融后肝脓肿的发生率及危险因素分析

目的探讨肝癌射频消融(RFA)后肝脓肿形成的发生率及危险因素。方法回顾性分析2000年1月—2016年6月接受RFA治疗的1 643例肝癌患者的资料,包括原发性肝细胞癌(HCC)942例、胆管细胞癌(CCC)31例、转移性肝癌(MLC)670例,采用Logistic回归对影响因素进行分析。结果肝癌RFA治疗后肝脓肿发生率为0.79%(13/1 643)。单因素分析显示,糖尿病史、肝功能Child-Pugh分级、手术史及肿瘤位置与肝癌RFA治疗后肝脓肿形成相关(P均0.05);多因素分析显示,糖尿病史、手术史及肿瘤位置为肝癌RFA治疗后肝脓肿形成的独立危险因素。结论糖尿病史、手术史、肿瘤位置是影响肝癌RFA治疗后肝脓肿形成的重要因素。     

经肝动脉化疗栓塞联合射频消融治疗原发性肝癌及术后复发性肝癌的疗效比较及预后因素分析

目的比较TACE联合射频消融(RFA)治疗初发性及复发性肝癌的疗效,探讨影响预后的因素。方法对118例接受TACE联合RFA治疗肝癌患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。将患者分为初发组和复发组,比较两组间的总体生存率、无瘤生存率、安全性,选择可能对预后产生影响的因素进行单因素和多因素分析。结果肝癌初发组1、2、3年生存率分别为93.20%、81.70%、67.10%,复发组为93.30%、81.70%、65.80%;初发组1、2、3年无瘤生存率为74.00%、49.10%、35.00%,复发组为57.40%、28.40%、14.20%,两组总体生存率差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。复发组的无瘤生存率显著低于初发组(P=0.015)。血清甲胎蛋白(AFP)、Child-Pugh分级、总胆红素和合并门静脉侧支循环是影响消融后患者生存率的独立危险因素(P均0.05),AFP和合并门静脉侧支还是影响无瘤复发的独立危险因素。结论 TACE联合RFA治疗复发性肝癌可提高患者的生存率,减少肿瘤复发。总胆红素、AFP、Child-Pugh分级和合并门静脉侧支循环是影响肝癌患者生存率的显著性预后影响因子。     

经皮射频消融治疗复发性肝癌的疗效及预后因素分析

目的探究原发性肝癌术后复发行经皮射频消融(RFA)后的疗效、生存率及其影响因素。方法回顾性分析2012年6月至2016年6月郑州大学第一附属医院行手术切除的原发性肝癌术后复发的67例患者临床资料,采用统计软件SPSS 21.0分析,生存曲线采用Kaplan-Meier法绘制,组间比较采用LogRank检验,Cox风险比例模型进行预后因素分析。结果 67例术后复发的肝癌患者经皮RFA治疗后1、3、5年总体生存率分别为94%、62%、50%,1、3、5年无瘤总体生存率分别为56%、39%、26%。根据肝癌切除术后复发的肿瘤直径分为小肝癌组(≤3 cm,n=47)和中肝癌组(3 cm且≤5 cm,n=20),小肝癌组及中肝癌组行经皮RFA治疗后1、3、5年生存率分别为98%、67%、54%及86%、55%、40%,小肝癌组的生存率明显高于中肝癌组(P=0.007)。通过Cox模型多因素分析,结果显示复发病灶直径、术后甲胎蛋白(AFP)水平是影响患者经皮RFA后生存时间的危险因素。结论经皮RFA治疗术后复发性肝癌疗效确切,能以较小的创伤达到治疗的目的,小肝癌及术后AFP低行RFA预后更好。     

小肝癌射频消融治疗后患者生存及肝内肿瘤复发的有关因素分析

目的探讨射频消融(radiofrequency ablation,RFA)对≤5cm肝细胞癌(hepatocellular carcinoma,HCC)的疗效。方法2001年6月~2008年4月,对94例≤5cm的HCC进行了135次冷循环射频消融治疗,治疗途径包括超声引导下经皮穿刺(n=102),开腹(n=22),人工胸水辅助超声引导(n=11)。术后随访资料采用Kaplan-Meier模型分析患者的生存情况、肿瘤复发情况及其影响因素。结果射频消融术后1、2、3年的累计生存率分别为88.8%、72.2%、68.4%。45例术后1.5~36个月出现肝内复发,患者1、2、3年的无瘤生存率分别为58.8%、41.3%、28.1%。单因素分析显示:生存时间与肝功能Child-Pugh分级和血清甲胎蛋白水平有关(χ2=6.37,P=0.012;χ2=5.76,P=0.016);肝硬化、肝内多发病灶和高血清甲胎蛋白水平可能是术后肝内复发的危险因素(χ2=3.87,P=0.049;χ2=4.50,P=0.034;χ2=4.28,P=0.039)。结论对≤5cm的HCC,RFA是一种有效治疗方法。     

肝癌发生肺转移的危险因素分析

目的 探讨肝癌发生肺转移的危险因素,为防治肝癌肺转移提供理论依据.方法 回顾性分析2008年1月至2012年3月福建医科大学附属第一医院收治的862例肝癌患者的临床资料.其中肺转移107例,将其血清AFP、GGT水平、是否合并HBV感染、肝内肿瘤情况、肝内肿瘤治疗情况等因素进行分析,寻找影响肝癌发生肺转移的危险因素.单因素分析采用COX比例风险模型,将有统计学意义的指标引入COX模型采用逐步后退法进一步进行多因素分析.结果 单因素分析结果显示:AFP≥400 μg/L、GGT≥150 U/L、合并HBV感染、肝内肿瘤数目≥2个、肿瘤未经手术切除或RFA、合并血管癌栓、伴有淋巴结转移是影响肝癌发生肺转移的危险因素,差异有统计学意义(RR=1.986,3.653,0.365,3.675,0.252,0.379,0.352,P＜0.05).多因素COX逐步后退法分析结果显示:AFP≥400 μg/L、合并HBV感染、肝内肿瘤数目≥2个、肿瘤未经手术切除或RFA、合并血管癌栓、伴有淋巴结转移的肝癌患者更容易发生肺转移,差异有统计学意义(RR=2.391,3.462,3.425,3.396,2.418,0.638,P＜0.05).结论 AFP ≥400 μg/L、合并HBV感染、肝内肿瘤数目≥2个、肿瘤未经手术切除或RFA、合并血管癌栓、伴有淋巴结转移者是肝癌发生肺转移的危险因素,抗病毒治疗、早期积极手术治疗肝内瘤灶可能对防治肝癌发生肺转移有重要意义.     

肝癌患者RFA治疗前后血清中TNF和AFP的变化

目的　探讨原发性肝癌 (PHC)患者经集束电极射频热毁损 (RFA)治疗后血清中肿瘤坏死因子 (TNF)及甲胎蛋白 (AFP)的变化及其与患者免疫功能变化的相关性,以监测RFA治疗PHC的疗效。方法　检测 1 1 2例PHC患者RFA治疗后血清中TNF和AFP的改变,并与健康对照组 2 0例比较,分析其与患者免疫功能变化的相关性。结果　PHC患者治疗前血清TNF和AFP水平明显高于健康对照组 (P< 0. 0 1 );治疗后 1周,血清TNF与治疗前比较无明显变化 (P> 0. 0 5 ),而AFP下降明显 (P< 0. 0 1 );治疗后 2周,血清TNF下降明显 (P< 0. 0 1 ),但仍高于对照组 (P < 0. 0 1 ),AFP降至正常,与对照组比较差异无显著性 (P> 0. 0 5 )。血清TNF与AFP水平变化无相关性 (r= 0. 1 9 5, P>0. 0 5 )。RFA治疗PHC近期效果明显。结论　原发性肝癌RFA治疗后血清中TNF及AFP水平下降,提示机体免疫功能增强,并有助于判断疗效及预后。     

肝癌射频消融术后肝内远处复发的相关因素分析

Objective To analyze the influencing factors affecting intrahepatic distant recurrence after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for primary hepatic cancer. Methods Eighty patients with primary hepatic tumors underwent RFA treatment between January 2002 and June 2005 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 49 males and 31 females aged from 34 to 84 years old. The tumor size was less than 5 cm and no more than 3 nodules. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were used to evaluate the risk factors for intrahepatic distant recurrence after RFA. Results The cumulative rates of intrahepatic distant recurrence were 6.3%, 32.0%, and 67.3% at 1,3, and 5 years, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that pretreatment serum AFP level of ≥50 μg/L (P=0.029),descarboxy pruthrombin (DCP) level of ≥ 40 mAu/ml (P=0.004),ablative margin of <1 cm (P=0.035),prothrombin time activity percent tage of <70% (P=0.012), and poor Child-Pugh grade (P=0.002) were related to intrabepatic distant recurrence. A multivariate analysis revealed that pretreatment serum AFP and DCP level,ablative margin and Child-Pugh grade were independent risk factors for intrahepatic distant recurrence. Conclusions Primary liver cancer patients with high serum AFP, DCP and poor Child-Pugh grade before RFA should be carefully followed up to monitor any intrahepatic distant recurrence. A sufficient ablative margin in RFA for primary liver cancer is required to prevent recurrence.     

循环肿瘤细胞对肝癌射频消融术后复发的预测价值

目的研究分析射频消融术(RFA)前循环肿瘤细胞(CTC)预测肝癌术后复发的应用价值。方法收集2016年6月至2019年9月中山市人民医院收治的168例肝细胞癌患者,在RFA治疗前以Cyttel检测法分析患者外周血的CTC。利用X-tile软件的Kaplan-Meier模块确定CTC的最佳临界值,并分析CTC与术前临床参数的关系,Cox比例风险模型分析影响RFA术后复发的独立危险因素,采用Kaplan-Meier法绘制RFA术后复发曲线图明确CTC与RFA术后复发的关系。结果预测肝癌RFA术后复发的CTC最佳临界值为2个/3.2 ml。术前CTC与肿瘤结节数目、最大肿瘤直径、术前AFP水平以及中国肝癌临床分期(CNLC)有关(P<0.05)。术前CTC(HR=1.965,95%CI:1.314~2.937,P=0.001)、AFP水平(HR=1.743,95%CI:1.158~2.623,P=0.008)、PIVKA-Ⅱ(HR=1.559,95%CI:1.008~2.411,P=0.046)以及最大肿瘤直径(HR=1.994,95%CI:1.104~3.602,P=0.022)均是肝癌RFA术后复发的独立危险因素。术后复发率62.5%(105/168),CTC≤2个/3.2 ml患者的累积复发率明显低于CTC>2个/3.2 ml者(P<0.001)。结论术前CTC检测对预测肝癌射频消融术后复发有一定的应用价值及临床意义。     

肝动脉化疗栓塞术加或不加射频消融治疗中晚期原发性肝癌的临床研究

目的探讨经肝动脉化疗栓塞(TACE)联合超声引导下射频消融(RFA)治疗原发性肝癌的疗效。方法对2013年1月至2014年5月行 TACE 联合 RFA 治疗的81例中晚期原发性肝癌病人资料进行回顾性分析,并与同期单独行 TACE 的99例中晚期原发性肝癌病人进行疗效比较。结果TACE 联合 RFA 治疗的中晚期原发性肝癌病人疗效明显好于单纯行 TACE 组病人,TACE联合 RFA 组在肿瘤的疾病控制率(93.8%)、完全缓解率(13.6%)及部分缓解率(44.4%)均优于单纯行 TACE 组(76.8%、5.1%、30.3%),P <0.05;AFP 下降水平也优于单纯行 TACE 组(P <0.05)。结论TACE 联合 RFA 治疗中晚期原发性肝癌疗效好,可做临床推广。     

常规肝功能检查在肝储备功能评估中的价值

目的 研究原发性肝癌患者肝切除术后肝功能代偿不全的危险因素.方法 对2007年7月1日至12月31日在复旦大学附属中山医院肝外科行手术切除的562例Child-Pugh A级肝细胞肝癌患者资料进行回顾性分析,探讨术后肝功能代偿不全及肝功能衰竭病死的危险因素.结果 术前高总胆红素(total bilirubin,TB)、低前白蛋白(prealbumin,PA)是术后肝功能代偿不全的独立危险因素.ROC曲线显示术前PA预测术后肝功能代偿不全的界值为0.14 g/L(灵敏度41.4％,特异度83.1％).当TB≥20.4 μmol/L且PA＜0.14 g/L时,肝功能代偿不全的发生率为16.0％(OR=7.276,P=0.002).结论 Child-Pugh A级原发性肝癌肝切除者,术前TB＜20.4 μmol/L并且PA≥0.14 g/L时,术后肝功能恢复较好.     

Visual estimation of tumour extent is not an independent predictor of prostate specific antigen recurrence

OBJECTIVE: To analyse tumour extent as a predictor of cancer progression after radical prostatectomy (RP), using a multivariate Cox regression model, as several variables (e.g. Gleason grade and tumour stage) are well-established prognostic factors in prostate cancer but it is uncertain if the visual estimation of tumour extent (percentage of carcinoma) is an independent predictor for prostate cancer recurrence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Tumour extent was estimated in the RP specimens from 504 men with clinically localized prostate cancer; clinical follow-up data were available for 459 men. The mean (range) follow-up was 44.3 (1.5-144) months. Cancer progression was defined by the development of biochemical recurrence, local recurrence, or distant metastasis. Multivariate analysis was used to assess tumour extent as a predictor of cancer progression. RESULTS: Of the 459 patients, 157 had cancer progression; the mean tumour extent was 36% and 24% in those with and without cancer progression, respectively (P < 0.001). Univariate analysis showed a significant association between the visual estimation of tumour extent and tumour stage, Gleason grade, surgical margins, extraprostatic extension, seminal vesicle invasion, lymph node metastasis, and preoperative serum prostate-specific antigen level (all P < 0.001). However, in a multivariate Cox regression model controlling for pathological stage, Gleason score, and surgical margin status, the visual estimation of tumour extent was no longer a significant predictor of cancer progression (P = 0.84). CONCLUSION: The visual estimation of tumour extent was associated with various established prognostic factors for prostate cancer, and with cancer progression in a univariate analysis, but it was not a significant predictor of cancer progression in the multivariate analysis controlling for pathological stage, Gleason score, and surgical margin status.     

肝细胞癌切除术后早期肝内复发的危险因素及对预后的影响

目的 探讨肝细胞癌(hepatoeellular carcinoma,HCC)切除术后早期肝内复发的预测因素及复发对预后的影响.方法 收集184例HCC患者切除术后肝内复发病例的临床病理资料,回顾性分析可能与早期肝内复发有关的13项临床病理学因素以及复发时间对HCC患者复发后生存期的影响.结果 单因素分析表明术前血清AFP>100 ng/ml(P=0.009)、肿瘤直径>5 cm(P<0.001)、血管浸润(P=0.001)以及术中输血(P=0.025)与HCC切除术后早期肝内复发有关;白蛋白<35S/L(P=0.083)可能与术后早期肝内复发有关.多因素分析表明 AFP>100 ng/ml(P=0.015)、肿瘤>5 cm(P=0.001)、微血管浸润(P=0.004)是与HCC切除术后早期肝内复发的独立的预测因素.早期肝内复发组复发后中位生存期(12个月)明显低于晚期复发组(18个月)(P=0.012).结论 术前AFP、肿瘤大小和血管浸润是HCC术后早期肝内复发的预测因素.HCC术后早期肝内复发病例预后不良.     

肝细胞癌切除术后早期肝内复发的危险因素及对预后的影响

目的 探讨肝细胞癌(hepatoeellular carcinoma,HCC)切除术后早期肝内复发的预测因素及复发对预后的影响.方法 收集184例HCC患者切除术后肝内复发病例的临床病理资料,回顾性分析可能与早期肝内复发有关的13项临床病理学因素以及复发时间对HCC患者复发后生存期的影响.结果 单因素分析表明术前血清AFP>100 ng/ml(P=0.009)、肿瘤直径>5 cm(P<0.001)、血管浸润(P=0.001)以及术中输血(P=0.025)与HCC切除术后早期肝内复发有关;白蛋白<35S/L(P=0.083)可能与术后早期肝内复发有关.多因素分析表明 AFP>100 ng/ml(P=0.015)、肿瘤>5 cm(P=0.001)、微血管浸润(P=0.004)是与HCC切除术后早期肝内复发的独立的预测因素.早期肝内复发组复发后中位生存期(12个月)明显低于晚期复发组(18个月)(P=0.012).结论 术前AFP、肿瘤大小和血管浸润是HCC术后早期肝内复发的预测因素.HCC术后早期肝内复发病例预后不良.     

肝细胞癌切除术后早期肝内复发的危险因素及对预后的影响

目的 探讨肝细胞癌(hepatoeellular carcinoma,HCC)切除术后早期肝内复发的预测因素及复发对预后的影响.方法 收集184例HCC患者切除术后肝内复发病例的临床病理资料,回顾性分析可能与早期肝内复发有关的13项临床病理学因素以及复发时间对HCC患者复发后生存期的影响.结果 单因素分析表明术前血清AFP>100 ng/ml(P=0.009)、肿瘤直径>5 cm(P<0.001)、血管浸润(P=0.001)以及术中输血(P=0.025)与HCC切除术后早期肝内复发有关;白蛋白<35S/L(P=0.083)可能与术后早期肝内复发有关.多因素分析表明 AFP>100 ng/ml(P=0.015)、肿瘤>5 cm(P=0.001)、微血管浸润(P=0.004)是与HCC切除术后早期肝内复发的独立的预测因素.早期肝内复发组复发后中位生存期(12个月)明显低于晚期复发组(18个月)(P=0.012).结论 术前AFP、肿瘤大小和血管浸润是HCC术后早期肝内复发的预测因素.HCC术后早期肝内复发病例预后不良.     

影响3cm以下小肝癌患者术后生存因素的观察

目的 总结小肝癌的手术治疗经验,探讨影响其术后生存率的临床、病理因素。方法回顾性分析1986年1月-2003年12月间手术切除并获得随访的105例小肝癌(≤3cm)的临床、病理资料,中位随访时间33个月。对有无结节性肝硬化、肝功能Child分级、术前血清AFP水平、肿瘤大小、有无肿瘤包膜、肿瘤分化程度(Edmondson分级)、有无门静脉癌栓、肿瘤是否多灶性(包括卫星灶)及手术方式等9项临床、病理参数与术后生存率及无瘤生存率的关系进行单因素及Cox模型多因素分析。结果截止2004年5月,手术后1、3、5年生存率分别为86．5%、70．3％、55．2％,无瘤生存率分别为78．0％、58．9％、45．6％。再次手术死亡1例。随访期内36例肝内复发,34例死亡。单因素及多因素分析均提示术前肝功能Child分级、肿瘤大小、门静脉癌栓及肿瘤多灶性是影响手术后生存率的预后因素,多因素分析显示肿瘤大小、门静脉癌栓及多灶性是影响手术后无瘤生存率的预后因素。结论距肿瘤1cm以上切缘的局部切除是治疗小肝癌的合理手术方式,手术后的肝内复发和转移及肝功能不良是导致小肝癌患者术后死亡的主要原因。     

肝细胞癌肝内微转移的研究

目的 探讨肝细胞癌肝内微转移分布的规律。方法 选择无临床肝内转移且无门静脉主干或一级分支内瘤栓、切缘充分的单发肝细胞癌切除标本43例为研究对象。用立体定位全取材切片和黑色素瘤抗原（MAGE）及甲胎蛋白（AFP）抗体免疫组化染色技术寻找肝内的微转移。结果 58．7％（25／43）的患者肝内微转移阳性，59．3％（179／302）的转移灶为门静脉内的微瘤栓。微转移距原发灶的最远距离可达4．7cm，P95为2．5cm。单因素分析显示，微转移的发生与血清AFP水平、原发瘤直径、包膜完整性和Edmondson分级相关（χ^2或t值分别为11．50，2．465，12．17和16．59，P〈0．05）。多因素分析显示，原发瘤直径和包膜完整性是独立影响因素（Wald值为7．903和3．858，P〈0．05）。在HE染色微转移阴性的切片中AFP染色阳性率为9．3％，MAGE为7．0％，至少有一项阳性者为14．0％。结论 （1）肝细胞癌肝内转移是较为普遍的现象，大部分位于原发瘤附近，主要形式为门静脉内的微瘤栓。（2）无临床转移的单发肝癌的理想手术切缘应为2．5cm，并应根据肿瘤的生物学特性进行调整。（3）AFP和MAGE免疫组化染色有利于肝内微转移的检出。     

Surgical treatment of hepatocellular cancer in the era of hepatic transplantation

BACKGROUND: This study compares liver resection (LR) or transplantation (LTx) in an attempt to reevaluate the indications for treatment. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred fifty-four LRs and 121 LTxs performed from 1985 to 1999 were considered. Survival and recurrence rate, together with age, gender, liver disease, Child-Pugh classification, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), tumor capsule, vascular invasion, size, number of nodules, histologic grade, and pTNM were considered. Followup was completed in all cases (mean +/- SD = 3.2 +/- 2.9 years). RESULTS: The 5- and 10-year actuarial survival rates were 61.7% and 59.8% in LTx and 46.9% and 28.0% in LR (p = 0.08). Recurrence-free survival was 85.9% and 85.9%, respectively, in LTx and 42.8% and 30.7% in LR (p < 0.0001). In both groups, size, capsule, AFP, vascular invasion, grade, pTNM, Child-Pugh classification, and age were all significantly related to survival and cancer recurrence. pTNM, AFP, Child-Pugh classification, and age, in LR, and capsule, AFP, and viral cirrhosis, in LTx, were significant independent variables in Cox's regression model for survival. Only AFP, vascular invasion, and grade were significant in both groups for recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: LTx offers better recurrence freedom than LR, but longterm survival is not significantly different in the two series. A strict selection should be made to optimize graft allocation. Size and multifocality should not be considered absolute contraindications for LTx. AFP, vascular invasion, and grade are more likely to reflect the risk of recurrence of the disease. LR should be considered in patients who do not fulfill transplant criteria and also in some categories of patients with certain tumor characteristics (small resectable tumors in well-compensated cirrhosis).     

Intersphincteric Resection for Very Low Rectal Adenocarcinoma: Univariate and Multivariate Analyses of Risk Factors for Recurrence

Background  The aim of this study was to analyze the risk factors for local and distant recurrence after intersphincteric resection (ISR) for very low rectal adenocarcinoma. Methods  One hundred twenty consecutive patients with T1–T3 rectal cancers located 1–5 (median 3) cm from the anal verge underwent ISR. Univariate and multivariate analyses of prospectively recorded clinicopathologic parameters were performed. Results  Fifty patients had disease categorized as stage I, 21 as stage II, 46 as stage III, and 3 as stage IV on the basis of International Union Against Cancer tumor, node, metastasis staging system. Median follow-up time was 3.5 years. The 3-year rates of local and distant recurrence were 6% and 13%, respectively. Univariate analysis of the risk factors for local recurrence revealed pathologic T, pathologic stage, focal dedifferentiation, microscopic resection margins, and preoperative serum CA 19-9 level to be statistically significant. Multivariate analysis showed resection margin, focal dedifferentiation, and serum CA 19-9 level to be independently significant. Univariate analysis of the risk factors for distant recurrence indicated tumor location, combined resection, tumor annularity, pathologic N, lateral pelvic lymph node metastasis, pathologic stage, histologic grade, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and adjuvant chemotherapy to be significant. Multivariate analysis identified pathologic N, histologic grade, and tumor location to be independently significant. Conclusion  Profiles of risk factors for local and distant recurrences after ISR are different. With local recurrence, the resection margin, focal dedifferentiation, and serum CA 19-9 level are important. For distant recurrence, the lymph node status, histologic grade, and tumor location need to be taken into account.     

Radiofrequency ablation of recurrent cholangiocarcinoma

Intrahepatic recurrence of cholangiocarcinoma after primary resection has traditionally been considered a contraindication to surgical management. Improvements in ablative technologies such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) offer the surgeon additional alternatives in the management of selected intrahepatic tumors. We present a case report of a single intrahepatic recurrence of cholangiocarcinoma 12 months after primary resection of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma including right lobectomy for intrahepatic extension. The patient received operative treatment and RFA of the intrahepatic lesion. RFA successfully ablated the recurrent tumor, and the patient remains free of detectable disease 10 months later. A review of literature is presented. This is the first known report of the use of RFA for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. In selected cases of primary or recurrent cholangiocarcinoma, RFA may increase the percentage of patients considered surgically treatable.     

Efficacy and tolerability of laparoscopic-assisted radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients above 60 years of age

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic-assisted radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma above the age of 60 years. A single-center, retrospective study of a prospective dataset evaluated efficacy and morbidity of RFA in patients above 60 years of age. About 37% of patients had an intrahepatic recurrence 1 year after ablation. By multivariate analysis, only the number of lesions ablated was a predictor of recurrence (P=0.007). Overall mortality was 19% at 1 year and factors associated with mortality include elevated α-fetoprotein, number of lesions ablated, and platelet count. Complications occurred in 10% of our population with 1 death. RFA is well tolerated in patients of 60 years of age and above. The outcomes in this study validate a local ablative strategy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in the elderly and it is superior to no treatment alone.