Midterm outcomes in patients with intermediate‐sized hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND:

To improve the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of intermediate‐sized hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), the authors compared RFA combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) to RFA alone.

METHODS:

The authors randomly assigned 37 patients with solitary HCCs (diameter, 3.1‐5.0 cm in the greatest dimension) to 2 groups: the TACE‐RFA group, in which the patients received TACE followed by RFA on the same day, and the RFA group, in which the patients received only RFA.

RESULTS:

Technical success was achieved after 1.4 ± 0.5 RFA sessions in the RFA group and after 1.1 ± 0.2 RFA sessions in the TACE‐RFA group (P < .01). The mean diameters of the longer and shorter axes of the RFA‐induced ablated areas were 50 ± 8.0 mm and 41 ± 7.1 mm, respectively, in the RFA group and 58 ± 13.2 mm and 50 ± 11.3 mm, respectively, in the TACE‐RFA group; the mean diameters of the shorter axes were significantly different (P = .012). The rates of local tumor progression at the end of the third year in the RFA and TACE‐RFA groups were 39% and 6%, respectively (P = .012). The 3‐year survival rates of the patients in the RFA and TACE‐RFA groups were 80% and 93%, respectively (P = .369).

CONCLUSIONS:

In patients with intermediate‐sized HCCs, RFA combined with TACE is more effective than RFA alone for extending the ablated area in fewer treatment sessions and for decreasing the local tumor progression rate. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.     

Combination of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation with transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma： observation of clinical effects

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of radiofrequency ablation （RFA） combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization （TACE） for advanced hepatocellnlar carcinoma （HCC）. Methods： A total of 92 eases of advanced primary liver cancer underwent TACE and RFA treatment from June 2005 to 2011 at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College. A total of 88 cases with complete clinical treatment and follow-up data were divided into two groups： 43 patients treated with TACE （TACE group） and 45 patients that received TACE combined with RFA treatment （TACE ＋ RFA group）. After clinical data assessment, tumor size and survival status were not significantly different between the groups as determined by stratified analysis. Results： Before and after surgery, spiral CT radiography and color comparison observed ablation conditions. The tumor necrosis rates after treatment （CR ＋ PR） were 67.4% （29/43） and 91.1% （41/45） for the TACE and combined treatment groups, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. The quality of life was significantly improved for patients undergoing TACE ~ RFA compared with the control group. Survival duration was not significantly different in patients undergoing TACE ~ RFA compared with the control group. Conclusions： In this study, the effect of RFA combined with TACE treatment was better than TACE alone in treating advanced HCC.     

Combined transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation in single‐session for solitary hepatocellular carcinoma larger than 7 cm

1 Aims

To evaluate technical feasibility and treatment results of combined transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in single‐session for solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) larger than 7 cm in diameter.

2 Methods

Institutional review board approved this retrospective study. Written informed consent was obtained from all patients. Between June 2007 and July 2013, 87 patients (75 men, 12 women; mean age, 55.5 years ± 15.0) with solitary HCC with a mean maximum diameter of 9.5 cm ± 2.4 (range, 7.1–13.5 cm) not feasible for surgical resection underwent combined TACE and RFA in a single‐session. Immediately following TACE, RFA was performed under fluoroscopy and CB‐CT guidance. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). The secondary endpoints were technical safety and local tumor progression (LTP) rates. OS and time to progression (TTP) were analyzed with the Kaplan–Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors affecting OS and TTP.

3 Results

Technical success of combined TACE and RFA in a single‐session was achieved in all patients (100%). On 1‐month follow‐up MRI, complete response (CR) was observed in 76 of 87 patients (87.4 %), partial response (PR) in 8 and stable disease (SD) in 3 patients. The median follow‐up period was 49.5 months (interquartile range, 30.0–70.0 months). The median OS was 39 months (range, 15–86 months). The cumulative OS rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 100%, 65.5% and 47.5%, respectively. The estimated 1, 3 and 5 year LTP rates were 0 %, 29.9% and 55.2 %, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed a tumor larger than 10.0 cm (P < 0.05) and presence of portal vein branch invasion (P < 0.05) led to the worst prognosis. No major complications were noted.

4 Conclusions

Combined use of TACE and RFA in single‐session is a safe and effective option in the treatment of patients with solitary large HCC (> 7 cm) not amenable to surgery.     

Hepatocellular carcinoma with main portal vein tumor thrombus

BACKGROUND:

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with main portal vein tumor thrombus (MPVTT) is often associated with poor prognosis. We retrospectively assessed the effectiveness of percutaneous transhepatic portal vein stenting and transarterial chemoembolization (PTPVS‐TACE) combined with or without 3‐dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3‐DCRT) for HCC with MPVTT.

METHODS:

Forty‐five patients with HCC complicated by MPVTT were treated with PTPVS‐TACE. Among them, 16 patients (group A) received 3‐DCRT with 30‐60Gy as daily 2Gy fractions. The remaining 29 patients (group B) received no radiotherapy. The tumor responses, complications, stent patency rates, and cumulative survival rates were evaluated, and the Kaplan‐Meier method and log‐rank test were used for survival analysis.

RESULTS:

No severe complications were associated with PTPVS‐TACE and 3‐DCRT. The objective response rate (CR and PR) was 35.6%. The 60‐, 180‐, and 360‐day cumulative stent patency rates were 93.3%, 62.2%, and 34.6% in group A, and 58.6%, 21.7%, and 10.8% in group B, respectively, showing significant difference between the 2 groups (P < .01). The mean patency time was 475.20 ± 136.97 and 199.58 ± 61.40 days, respectively. The 60‐, 180‐, and 360‐day cumulative survival rates were 93.8%, 81.3%, and 32.5%, respectively, for group A, 86.2%, 13.8%, and 6.9%, respectively, for group B. Significant statistical differences were detected between the 2 groups (P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS:

These findings suggest that sequential therapy by PTPVS‐TACE‐3‐DCRT is possibly an effective treatment modality for HCC complicated by main portal vein tumor thrombus. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.     

Hospital volume of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation is closely associated with treatment outcomes for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND:

Hospital volume for several major operations is associated with treatment outcomes. In this study, the authors explored the influence of hospital radiofrequency ablation (RFA) volume on the prognosis of patients who received RFA for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS:

The authors searched for all patients who were diagnosed with stage I or stage II HCC from 2004 to 2006 and who received RFA as first‐line therapy in a population‐based cohort. Overall survival (OS) and liver cancer‐specific survival (CSS) were compared according to hospital volume. A Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariate analysis.

RESULTS:

In total, 661 patients received first‐line RFA for stage I and II HCC in 28 hospitals. Among these, there were 480 patients (72.6%) in the high‐volume group (those who received RFA at hospitals that treated >10 first‐line patients per year), and there were 181 patients (27.4%) in the low‐volume group (those who received RFA at hospitals that treated ≤10 first‐line patients per year). The sex, age, stage, tumor size, and year of diagnosis for patients in the 2 groups did not differ significantly. Patients in the high‐volume group demonstrated significantly longer OS and CSS than those in the low‐volume group (5‐year OS rate, 58.7% vs 47.2%; P = .001; 5‐year CSS rate, 67.1% vs 57.1%; P = .009). After adjusting for covariates, high‐volume hospitals remained an independent predictor of longer OS (hazard ratio, 0.57; P < .001) and CSS (hazard ratio, 0.57; P = .003).

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients who received first‐line RFA for HCC in high‐volume hospitals demonstrated better survival outcomes. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.     

Radiofrequency ablation or microwave ablation combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma by comparing with radiofrequency ablation alone简

Objective：To compare radiofrequency ablation （RFA） or microwave ablation （MWA） and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization （TACE） with RFA or MWA monotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）.Methods：A prospective,randomized,controlled trial was conducted on 94 patients with HCC ≤7 cm at a single tertiary referral center from June 2008 to June 2010 at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery,the Second Affiliated Hospital of Southeast University.The patients were randomly assigned into the TACERFA or TACE-MWA （combined treatment group） and the RFA-alone or MWA-alone groups （control group）.The primary end point was overall survival.The secondary end point was recurrence-free survival,and the tertiary end point was adverse effects.Results：Until the time of censor,17 patients in the TACE-RFA or TACE-MWA group had died.The median follow-up time of the patients who were still alive for the TACE-RFA or TACE-MWA group was 47.5±11.3 months （range,29 to 62 months）.The 1-,3-and 5-year overall survival for the TACE-RFA or TACE-MWA group was 93.6％,68.1％ and 61.7％,respectively.Twenty-five patients in the RFA or MWA group had died.The median follow-up time of the patients who were still alive for the RFA or MWA group was 47.0±12.9 months （range,28 to 62 months）.The 1-,3-and 5-year overall survival for the RFA or MWA group was 85.1％,59.6％ and 44.7％,respectively.The patients in the TACE-RFA or TACE-MWA group had better overall survival than the RFA or MWA group [hazard ratio （HR）,0.526; 95％ confidence interval （95％ CO,0.334-0.823; P=0.002],and showed better recurrence-free survival than the RFA or MWA group （HR,0.582; 95％ CI,0.368-0.895; P=0.008）.Conclusions：RFA or MWA combined with TACE in the treatment of HCC ≤7 cm was superior to RFA or MWA alone in improving survival by reducing arterial and portal blood flow due to TACE with iodized oil before RFA.     

The outcomes of elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with transarterial chemoembolization

BACKGROUND:

The authors evaluated and compared the treatment outcomes of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) between young (≤70 years) and elderly (>70 years) patients at their institute over an 18‐year period.

METHODS:

Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who received TACE at the authors' center were analyzed retrospectively. The demographic data, TACE‐related morbidities, and survival outcome were compared between these 2 age groups.

RESULTS:

Between 1989 and 2006, 843 patients who were ≤70 years old and 197 patients who were >70 years old received TACE treatment for advanced HCC. There were significantly more comorbid illnesses associated with the elderly patients than the young patients (64 % vs 33%, P < .01). Moreover, elderly patients who received TACE treatment for HCC were at earlier stages of disease (P < .01). Both the overall median survival (14.0 months vs 8.1 months, P < .003) and disease‐specific survival (15.2 months vs 8.7 months, P < .001) were significantly higher in elderly than young patients. The most commonly encountered TACE‐related morbidity in both age groups was liver function derangement. Young patients had a significantly higher rate of developing liver derangement after TACE than elderly patients (21% vs 11%, P < .01). Conversely, the elderly patients had a significantly higher rate of developing peptic ulcer disease with TACE treatment than young patients (2.5% vs 0.5%, P = .01). Overall, there was no significant difference in TACE‐related mortality between the young and elderly patients (3% vs 4%, P = .49).

CONCLUSIONS:

This study has confirmed the comparable efficacy and tolerability in using TACE for the treatment of advanced HCC in young and elderly patient populations. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.     

Laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation of solitary small hepatocellular carcinoma in the caudate lobe

Objective

Surgical resection in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) originating in the caudate lobe is challenging because of its deep location in the liver and possibly worse prognosis. We evaluated the overall survival of patients with solitary caudate small HCC who underwent laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Methods

This is a retrospective study on patients who underwent laparoscopic RFA (RFA) for solitary small HCC.

Results

Twenty-seven (27) patients underwent laparoscopic caudate lobe RFA for solitary small HCC. The average tumor size was 2.8 cm. The overall survival rates were 96.3%, 88.9%, 74.1%, 74.1% and 62.9% at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years respectively. The disease-free survival after RFA was 92.6%, 52.9%, 44.4%, 33.3% and 33.3% at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years respectively. Most common postoperative complication was pleural effusion (7/27, 25.9%), and followed by transient hemoglobinuria (2/27, 7.4%).

Conclusions

Laparoscopic RFA for caudate lobe small HCC is a safe and feasible procedure without perioperative mortality. Through a systematic review of other therapeutic options on caudate HCC, its overall outcome is comparable to that of surgical resection.     

Trans-arterial chemoembolization + radiofrequency ablation versus surgical resection in hepatocellular carcinoma – A meta-analysis

BackgroundHepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) remains the third most common cause of cancer death worldwide, with countries in Asia being affected the most. The mainstay of curative therapy for early HCC is radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or surgery; either surgical resection (SR) or liver transplantation. Latest evidence however suggests that combination of TACE+ RFA may provide outcomes comparable to SR.AimTo compare oncologic outcomes and safety profile of TACE + RFA to SR alone in HCC.Materials and methodsA systematic review was conducted through Pubmed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library for literature published before April 2019. Outcomes measured were disease-free survival(DFS), overall survival(OS) and major complications. DFS was further divided into local tumour progression(LTP), intrahepatic distant recurrence(IDR) and distant metastasis(DM).ResultsEight retrospective studies and one randomized controlled trial, involving 1892 patients met eligibility criteria and were included. Unadjusted pooled analysis demonstrated no significant difference in 1-year, 3-year and 5-year OS and 1-year DFS between TACE+RFA and SR. SR had superior 3-year DFS (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.62–0.98, p = 0.03) and 5-year DFS (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.58–0.95, p = 0.02) compared to TACE+RFA. When analysing only the propensity matched data, the difference in 3-year DFS and 5-year DFS was not significant. TACE+RFA had a higher LTP rate (OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.05–5.86, p = 0.04) compared to SR but IDR and DM rates were not significant.Discussion and conclusionTACE+RFA offer comparable oncologic outcomes in patients with HCC as compared with SR and with added benefit of lower morbidity.     

Hepatic resection versus transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus

BACKGROUND:

The long‐term survival outcomes of hepatic resection (HR) compared with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) are unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Between December 2002 and December 2007, 201 consecutive patients diagnosed with resectable HCC with PVTT received HR as an initial treatment in our center. These patients were compared with 402 case‐matched controls selected from a pool of 1798 patients (with a 1:2 ratio) who received TACE as an initial treatment during the study period. PVTT was classified to 4 types: PVTT involving the segmental branches of the portal vein or above (type I), PVTT extending to involve the right/left portal vein (type II), the main portal vein (type III), or the superior mesenteric vein (type IV).

RESULTS:

The 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year overall survivals for the HR and TACE groups were 42.0%, 14.1%, and 11.1% and 37.8%, 7.3%, and 0.5%, respectively (P < .001). On subgroup analyses, the overall survivals for the HR group were better than the TACE group for type I PVTT, type II PVTT, single tumor, and tumor size >5 cm (P < .001, P = .002, P < .001, P < .001, respectively), but not for type III PVTT, type IV PVTT, multiple tumors, and tumor size <5 cm (P = .541, P = .371, P = .264, P = .338, P = .125, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed the type of PVTT and initial treatment allocation were significant prognostic factors for overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS:

Compared with TACE, HR provided survival benefits for patients with resectable HCC with PVTT, especially for those with a type I PVTT or a type II PVTT. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.     

Therapeutic equivalence in survival for hepatic arterial chemoembolization and yttrium 90 microsphere treatments in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND:

Intrahepatic arterial yttrium 90 (⁹⁰Y) microspheres have been proposed as a less toxic, less invasive therapeutic option to transhepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for patients with surgically unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). TACE has demonstrated the ability to prolong survival. However, long‐term survival remains uncertain.

METHODS:

In a 2‐cohort experience in the treatment of North American patients who had advanced, unresectable, biopsy‐proven HCC, 691 patients received repetitive, cisplatin‐based chemoembolization; and a separate cohort of 99 patients who had similar treatment criteria received a planned, single dose of ⁹⁰Y. Over the study period, an additional 142 patients were followed without treatment (total, 932 patients).

RESULTS:

Overall survival was slightly better in the ⁹⁰Y group compared with the TACE group (median survival, 11.5 months vs 8.5 months). However, the selection criteria indicated a small but significant bias toward milder disease in the ⁹⁰Y group. By using stratification into a 3‐tier model with patients dichotomized according to bilirubin levels <1.5 mg/dL, the absence of portal vein thrombosis (PVT), and low α‐fetoprotein plasma levels (<25 U/dL), an analysis of survival in clinical subgroups indicated that the 2 treatments resulted in similar survival. In addition, patients who had PVT or high α‐fetoprotein levels also had similar survival in both treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

Given the current evidence of therapeutic equivalence in survival, ⁹⁰Y and TACE appeared to be equivalent regional therapies for patients with unresectable, nonmetastatic HCC. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.     

Radiofrequency ablation and chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSE: To provide an up-to-date review of the technique, efficacy, safety and clinical applications for radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: A thorough review of the literature was performed as related to RFA and TACE for the treatment of HCC. We mixed these findings with our own extensive research and clinical experience on this subject by drawing from a pool of more than 1000 patients treated with both modalities. RESULTS: TACE has been shown with the work of Llovet, Camma, and Lo to provide a significant survival benefit for patients with unresectable HCC. The former showed a 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival at 57%, 31%, and 26% in the treatment group vs. 32%, 11%, and 3% in the supportive treatment alone group, respectively. Repeatedly, RFA has been shown to be very effective in the treatment of small (相似文献   

Efficacy and safety of combination therapy of chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation with different time intervals for hepatocellular carcinoma patients

Background and objectives

Combination of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has become an effective alternative therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In clinical practice, the choice of time interval between TACE and RFA is a key point for curative effect, but optimal time interval is uncertain in guidelines. We aim to explore the optimal time interval for HCC patients of Child-Pugh classification A or B.

Hepatitis B virus reactivation after radiofrequency ablation or hepatic resection for HBV-related small hepatocellular carcinoma: A retrospective study

Background and purpose

Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) happens after systemic chemotherapy, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or hepatic resection for HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. The incidence and risk factors of HBV reactivation after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are unclear.

Patients and methods

From August 2006 to August 2011, 218 consecutive patients with HBV-related small HCC treated with RFA (n = 125) or hepatic resection (n = 93) were retrospectively studied. The incidence of HBV reactivation and risk factors were analyzed.

Results

HBV reactivation developed in 20 (9.2%) patients after treatment. The incidence of HBV reactivation was significantly lower in the RFA group (5.6%, 7/125) than the hepatic resection group (14.0%, 13/93, P = 0.034). On univariate and multivariate analyses, no antiviral therapy (OR 11.7; 95% CI 1.52–90.8, P = 0.018) and treatment with RFA/hepatic resection (OR3.36; 95% CI 1.26–8.97, P = 0.016) were significant risk factors of HBV reactivation. On subgroup analysis, the incidence of HBV reactivation was lower in patients who received antiviral therapy than those who did not receive antiviral therapy in both the hepatic resection group (2.9% vs. 20.7%, P = 0.027) and the RFA group (0% vs. 7.6%, P = 0.188), although the difference was not significant in the latter group.

Conclusion

The incidence of HBV reactivation after RFA was relatively low when compared with hepatic resection. Prophylactic antiviral therapy is recommended, especially for patients who are going to receive hepatic resection for HBV-related HCC to decrease the incidence of post-treatment HBV reactivation.     

Radiation‐induced sarcoma in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND:

The increasing incidence of radiation‐induced sarcoma (RIS) has become a significant problem that can limit long‐term survival. The objective of the current study was to analyze the clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment outcomes, and prognostic factors of RIS after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

METHODS:

Institutional electronic medical records of patients with NPC who received definitive radiotherapy between February 1964 and 2003 were reviewed. Fifty‐three patients who developed RIS and fulfilled the study criteria were included.

RESULTS:

The median follow‐up after a diagnosis of RIS was 15.5 months (range, 0.4‐90.3 months), and the median latency between radiotherapy for NPC and an RIS diagnosis was 9.3 years (range, 3.2‐26.6 years). Fibrosarcoma was the most frequent histologic type observed, followed by osteosarcoma, and malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The 3‐year overall survival (OS) rate for 49 patients who received treatment was 32.4%, and the median survival was 21.2 months (95% confidence interval, 8.7‐33.8 months). The median OS was 41.3 months, 8.4 months, and 11 months for the complete resection group, the incomplete resection group, and the chemotherapy group, respectively (P<.0001). The only independent predictive factor that was associated with better OS was complete surgical resection.

CONCLUSIONS:

This retrospective study confirmed the rarity and poor prognosis of RIS in patients with NPC. Complete surgical resection was a significant prognostic factor for survival. The authors concluded that long‐term follow‐up is necessary for the early detection of RIS in patients with NPC. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.     

Results of liver resection in combination with radiofrequency ablation for hepatic malignancies

Introduction

Liver tumors should be surgically treated whenever possible. In the case of bilobar disease or coexisting liver cirrhosis, surgical options are limited. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been successfully used for irresectable liver tumors. The combination of hepatic resection and RFA extends the feasibility of open surgical procedures in patients with liver metastases and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Patients and methods

RFA was performed with two different monopolar devices using ultrasound guidance. Intraoperative use of RFA for the treatment of liver metastases or HCC was limited to otherwise irresectable tumors during open surgical procedures including hepatic resections. Irresectability was considered if bilobar disease was treated, the functional hepatic reserve was impaired or appraised marginal for allowing further resection.

Results

Ten patients with both liver metastases and HCC, and two patients with cholangiocellular carcinoma were treated. Complete initial tumor clearance was achieved in all patients. Two patients of the metastases group and five patients of the HCC group suffered from local recurrence after a median of 12 months (1–26) (local recurrence rate 32%). Five patients of the metastases group and six patients of the HCC group developed recurrent tumors in different areas of the ablation site after a median time of 4 months (2–18) (distant intrahepatic recurrence in 55%). Survival at 31 months was 36%.

Conclusion

RFA extends the scope of surgery in some candidates with intraoperatively found irresectability.     

Hepatic resection combined with radiofrequency ablation for initially unresectable colorectal liver metastases after effective chemotherapy is a safe procedure with a low incidence of local recurrence

Background

Chemotherapy can lead to tumor down-staging in patients with initially unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM); however, more than half of such cases are still considered to be unresectable because of disease progression, including multiple or bilobar CRLM, and an insufficient predicted remnant liver volume. In addition, there is little evidence supporting the use of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for patients with CRLM. This study compared the safety and efficacy of hepatic resection (HR) combined with RFA versus HR alone after effective chemotherapy in patients with initially unresectable CRLM.

Methods

Data were prospectively collected on 118 consecutive patients with initially unresectable CRLM who received FOLFOX ± bevacizumab as the first-line chemotherapy. 48 of these patients (41 %) underwent HR or HR + RFA after the chemotherapy. HR was performed in 35 patients (HR group), and HR + RFA in 13 (HR + RFA group).

Results

There was no mortality in either group. Postoperative morbidity rates in the HR group and the HR + RFA group were 17 and 23 %, respectively (P = 0.640). Local recurrence at the RFA site occurred in only one tumor (1.6 % per lesion, 7.7 % per patients). The 3-year progression-free survival was 45.3 % in the HR group and 12.8 % in the HR + RFA group (P = 0.472). The 3-year overall survival rate was 70.4 % in the HR group and 77.1 % in the HR + RFA group (P = 0.627).

Conclusions

These results suggest that HR + RFA after effective chemotherapy is a safe procedure with low local recurrence at the RFA site and is a potentially effective treatment option for patients with initially unresectable CRLM.     

肝癌术后复发患者96例临床分析

目的探讨如何选择肝癌术后复发患者的治疗方式。方法回顾性分析2007年4月至2012年3月间在我院进行肝癌切除手术后发现复发并接受治疗的96例患者的临床资料。患者分为二次手术组、射频消融(radiofrequency ablation,RFA)组和肝动脉化疗栓塞(transcatheter arterial chemoembolization,TACE)组,分析治疗方式与临床特征间的关系及对生存的影响。结果各组肝癌术后复发患者的各项临床资料基本无差异,只有肿瘤直径,术中出血量和切缘有显著性差异。但二次手术组患者的无病生存时间和复发后生存时间及总生存时间均高于RFA组和TACE组。结论手术切除在治疗肝癌复发时依然是最佳选择。无法进行二次手术的患者,采取RFA和TACE治疗,复发后生存时间无差异。     

Phase I trial of active specific immunotherapy with autologous dendritic cells pulsed with autologous irradiated tumor stem cells in hepatitis B‐positive patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Background and Objectives

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is often associated with chronic hepatitis due to hepatitis‐B or ‐C viruses. Active specific immunotherapy (ASI) with autologous dendritic cells (DC) presenting antigens from autologous tumor stem cell (TC) lines is associated with promising long‐term survival in metastatic cancer, but hepatitis patients were excluded. ASI might benefit high‐risk primary HCC patients following surgical resection, but first it is important to show that ASI does not exacerbate hepatitis.

Methods

Previously untreated HCC patients with a solitary lesion > 5 cm, or three lesions with at least one > 3 cm, or more than three lesions, underwent surgical resection from which autologous TC lines were established. Irradiated TC were incubated with autologous DC to create DC‐TC. After one course of trans‐arterial chemoembolization therapy (TACE), three weekly subcutaneous injections of DC‐TC suspended in granulocyte‐macrophage colony stimulating factor were administered. Patients were monitored for eight weeks.

Results

HCC cell lines were established within five weeks for 15/15 patients. Eight patients, all with chronic hepatitis B, were treated. There was no increase in hepatic transaminases, hepatitis B antigens, or viral DNA.

Conclusion

Autologous DC‐TC did not exacerbate HBV in these HCC patients. A phase II efficacy trial is being planned. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:862–867. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

原发性肝癌综合介入治疗的疗效分析

目的探讨原发性肝癌综合介入治疗的疗效。方法回顾性分析1126例原发性肝癌患者手术前后行经导管肝动脉化疗栓塞术(TACE)、TACE后射频消融(RFA)治疗、TACE或经导管肝动脉化疗灌注治疗(TAI)后辅以中药和生物治疗的临床资料,分析患者肝功能、肿瘤标志物、癌灶影像资料和生存率等,比较各种综合介入治疗的价值。结果全组患者1、3、5年生存率分别为67.8%、28.7%和18.8%。其中术前TACE组1、3、5年生存率分别为74.7%、41.4%和36.9%,术后TACE组1、3、5年生存率分别为78.9%、40.4%和37.5%;TACE RFA组的近期有效率为93.4%,1、3年生存率分别为74.5%和36.8%;TACE组的近期有效率为83.2%,1、3、5年生存率分别为69.3%、21.7%和8.4%;TAI治疗的近期有效率为27.5%,1、3年生存率分别为11.6%和0。TACE RFA组和TACE组间肝功能Child降级、瘤内与瘤周血流信号消失和甲胎蛋白转阴率差异均无统计学意义,TACE RFA组、TACE组与TAI组肝功能Child降级差异无统计学意义。结论原发性肝癌手术切除前后TACE效果最佳,手术前与手术后行TACE疗效相近;TACE RFA疗效优于TACE;TAI疗效较差。