Percutaneous ethanol injection: single session treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) has become one of the most widely used procedures for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis. PEI spread rapidly thanks to its ease of execution, safety, low resection cost, repeatability, therapeutic efficacy, and survival rates comparable to those of surgical resection. A new version of the procedure known as "single session" PEI, designed for treatment of large HCC under general anesthesia, was proposed in 1993. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our study of 108 patients with HCC>5 cm in diameter, 24 patients (Group A), were treated for a single and encapsulated lesions measuring from 5-8.5 cm, 63 patients (Group B), had a single and infiltrating lesions measuring from 5-10 cm or multiple HCC; and 21 patients (Group C), had advanced disease. RESULTS: In Group A, complete necrosis was achieved in 58.3% of lesions, in Group B complete necrosis was achieved only in encapsulated lesions. In infiltrating lesions of Group B and C, complete necrosis was never obtained. Survival of patients at 3 years with encapsulated HCC was 57%, in infiltrating or multiple HCC 42%, and in advanced HCC 0%. One death due to bleeding of esophageal varices occurred in a Child's C patient. Major complications included intraperitoneal hemorrhage, an important hepatic decompensation, a transitory renal insufficiency, and two infarction of adiacent segment. CONCLUSION: Single session PEI is as effective in inducing liver tumor necrosis as traditional PEI. Its advantage are shorter treatment time and the capability of treating larger and multiple HCC. The One-shot technique proved a more aggressive therapeutic modality than traditional PEI.     

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous ethanol injection under general anesthesia for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma on cirrhosis: long-term results in 268 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) under general anesthesia (One-shot PEI) is a therapy for large and multiple hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by the injection of a large amount of ethanol into the tumor. We report our results with 5-year survival rates in patients with HCC on cirrhosis treated with One-shot PEI. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From October 1992 to March 1998, 268 cirrhotic patients (age 42-82 years; 191 males; 95 Child-Pugh's A class, 150 B and 23 C class of cirrhosis) with 515 HCC nodules underwent One-shot PEI. Diameter of HCC nodules ranged from 0.6 to 14 cm (mean 5.02 +/- 2.2 cm; median: 4 cm). One hundred and thirty-eight patients had a single nodule (range 3.2-14 cm; mean 5.6 +/- 2.1 cm), 130 had multiple nodules, up to six nodules (mean 2.9 nodules) (range 0.6-11 cm; mean 4.8 +/- 2.1 cm) RESULTS: CT showed complete necrosis in 357/506 nodules (70%). Five patients (1.8%) with nine nodules died as a result of the procedure (variceal bleeding in three cases, liver failure in one and hemoperitoneum in one). The overall survival rates were 93, 83, 74, 65 and 59% at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years, respectively. Survival rates were 90, 84, 82 and 82% at 12, 24, 36 and 48 months, respectively, in patients with a single nodule less than or = 5 cm, and 97, 71, 59, 59 and 59% at 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months, respectively, in patients with single nodule >5 cm. Patients with multiple nodules had survival rates of 97, 89, 75, 60 and 60% at 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: PEI of large and multiple HCC showed survivals similar to conventional PEI for patients with smaller tumors.     

Percutaneous ethanol injection therapy in 47 cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma 5 cm or less: a long-term result

To elucidate the long-term results of percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 47 cirrhotic patients with HCC < or = 5 cm after PEI were analysed. Thirty-two of the patients were male. The age range was 37-68 years. Thirty-nine patients were seropositive either for hepatitis B surface antigen or antihepatitis C virus antibody. There were a total of 61 tumours, including solitary tumours in 35 patients, double tumours in 10 and triple tumours in two. The size of the main tumour was < or = 3 cm in 29 patients and more than 3 cm in 18 patients. Seventeen, 27 and three patients were in Child's class A, B and C respectively; 5-10 ml 95% ethanol was injected into the tumour every three to seven days until the echogenicity of the tumour changed to a hyperechoic or heterogeneous one. A booster PEI was given in 34 (56%) lesions with viable tumour, which was detected by dynamic computed tomography. The one, two, three and four-year survival rates were 85%, 75%, 61% and 39% respectively for all patients. Good liver reserve significantly improved the survival rate (p < 0.01, Child's class A and B vs Child's class C). The one, two, three and four-year recurrence rates were 24%, 55%, 69% and 79% for all patients. HCC recurred more frequently in patients with multiple tumours (p < 0.02).     

双介入治疗复发性肝细胞癌

目的：为了评价复发性肝细胞癌的非手术治疗方法的疗效。方法：采用经皮肝动脉化疗栓塞（ＴＡＥ）结合Ｂ超引导下无水酒精注射（ＰＥＩ）双介入治疗５６例复发性肝细胞癌,并以同期ＴＡＥ治疗的４２昨发性肝癌及２８例手术再切除复发性肝癌为对照。结果：ＴＡＥ＋ＰＥＩ组的１,３,５年累计生存率分别为８９．０％,６６．５％和３３．８％,其中单个病灶者１．３,５年生存率为９１．３％,７９．６％和４６．９％。结论：ＴＡＥ＋     

Percutaneous ethanol injection under general anaesthesia for hepatocellular carcinoma: 3 year survival in 112 patients

Objective: percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) under general anesthesia (One Shot PEI) is a new therapy for large and multiple hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by the injection of large amount of ethanol in the tumor. We report our results with 3 years survival rates in patients with HCC on cirrhosis treated with One Shot PEI. Patients and methods: between October 1992 and July 1996, 112 cirrhotic patients (79 males; age: 45–80; mean: 64 years) with 215 HCC nodules (diameter 0.6–14 cm; mean 4.1 cm) underwent One Shot PEI. Fifty-three patients had a single nodule (diameter=3–14 cm; mean=4.5 cm), 59 had two or more (two to five) nodules (diameter=0.6–13 cm; mean=4.9). Ethanol injected ranged between 16 and 120 ml per session. Survival rates were calculated according to Kaplan-Meier method and Wilcoxon test was used for statistical analysis. Results: five patients died within 7 h–10 days after the treatment for rupture of oesophageal varices in three cases, rupture of subcapsular HCC in one case and liver failure in one case. In the remaining 107 patients, dynamic CT or spiral CT, performed 72 h–1 month after the treatment, showed complete necrosis in 76 cases (71%) and incomplete necrosis (although always >50%) in 31. Survival rates at 1, 2, 3 years in all 107 patients were 88, 76, and 76% respectively. Survival rates in Child A Class patients were 100, 92, 92% and in Class B patients were 84, 72, and 72% at 1, 2, 3 years respectively; in Class C were 70 and 40% at 1 and 2 years respectively (P=0.01). Survival rates in patients with single nodule were 95, 82 and 82% at 1, 2 and 3 years, while in patients with multiple nodules were 80, 68 and 58% at 1, 2 and 3 years respectively (P=n.s.). During the follow-up (6–46 months) 48 patients showed intrahepatic recurrences; 41 out of them were retreated with new sessions of One Shot PEI or traditional PEI. Conclusions: PEI One Shot is more aggressive than traditional PEI. Survival rates of PEI One Shot seems similar to those obtainable by conventional PEI and even better than surgery.     

Efficacy of percutaneous ethanol injection versus radiofrequency ablation for single hepatocellular carcinoma no larger than 5 cm

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) of no larger than 5 cm.MethodsThe data used in this study were retrieved from the SEER database. In total, 3510 patients diagnosed with HCC of no larger than 5 cm who received PEI or RFA were included.ResultsThe median overall survival (mOS) and median cancer-specific survival (mCSS) of RFA-treated patients were not significantly longer than those of PEI-treated patients either before or after propensity score matching (PSM). The subgroup analysis showed that patients with HCC of no larger than 2 cm, HCC of larger than 2 cm, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage I and II, and AJCC stage III and IV who received RFA had mOS and mCSS similar to those of patients who received PEI after PSM. Multivariable regression analysis showed that PEI did not increase the all-cause mortality risk or cancer-specific mortality risk after PSM.ConclusionRFA is still the better choice for patients with a single HCC of no more than 5 cm. However, PEI might be a good choice for these patients who cannot be treated with RFA.     

超声引导下无水酒精、醋酸、热生理盐水、激光、射频及肝动脉化疗栓塞局部综合介入疗法治疗5～8 cm肝癌的疗效分析

目的 探讨超声引导下经皮瘤内注射酒精(PEI)、醋酸(PAI)、热生理盐水(PHSI)、间质性激光动力学疗法(IPDT)、射频消融(RFA)及肝动脉化疗栓塞(TACE)联合酒精或射频或激光局部综合介入疗法对5～8 cm肝癌患者的治疗疗效.方法 选择1992-2005年经上述6种介入方法治疗的肝癌患者204例,其中分别以酒精治疗66例、醋酸20例、热生理盐水20例、激光24例、射频30例、综合介入治疗44例,并与同期56例肝癌手术治疗患者的生存率和复发率进行比较. 结果 (1)6种方法介入治疗及手术治疗患者1、3、5年累计生存率比较均以外科手术组最高(91.9%、58.9%、35.7%);6种方法介入治疗患者1年生存率由高至低依次为酒精组(86.4%)、激光和射频组(83.3%)、综合治疗组(81.8%)、醋酸组(80.0%)、热生理盐水组(35.0%);3年生存率由高至低依次为醋酸组(55.0%)、综合治疗组(52.3%)、激光组(50.0%)、酒精组(48.5%)、射频组(46.7%)、热生理盐水组(20.0%);5年生存率由高至低依次为射频组(30.0%)、激光组(29.2%)、酒精组(25.8%)、醋酸组(25.0%)、综合治疗组(25.0%)、热生理盐水组(5.0%);热生理盐水组患者1、3、5年生存率最低且与其他治疗组比较差异有非常显著性 (P＜0.01),其余6组患者1、3、5年生存率比较差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05);(2)热生理盐水组患者肝癌病灶局部复发率(75.0%)显著高于其余6组(P均＜0.05),手术治疗组(8.9%)与醋酸组(20.0%)局部复发率比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),而显著低于其他5组(P均＜0.05);(3)各组治疗部位以外肝癌病灶复发率为62.5%～80.0%,组间比较差异无统计学意义 (P＞0.05).结论 除热生理盐水外,酒精、醋酸、激光、射频和局部综合介入治疗可作为无法切除大肝癌的治疗选择,若肿瘤血供丰富首选局部介入综合疗法;综合治疗,术后严密监测,及时补充治疗是提高疗效的关键.     

Radiofrequency thermal ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Radiofrequency (RF) ablation resulted in a higher complete necrosis than percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), above all in infiltrating lesions, and requires fewer treatment sessions in the treatment of small size tumors. We achieved 90% of complete necrosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)<3 cm, 71% in medium (3-5 cm) and 45% in large (5.1-9 cm) HCC. However, near complete necrosis was obtained in the majority of the remaining tumors. PEI is preferable in lesions at risk with RF, i.e. adjacent to main biliary ducts or to intestinal loops. Our current 3-yr survival in child A patient with single HCC<5 cm is 85%.     

Percutaneous ethanol injection under sonographic guidance of hepatocellular carcinoma in compensated and decompensated cirrhotic patients.

Forty-six patients with cirrhosis and 75 biopsy-proved hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) nodules underwent percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) regardless of number (up to five) and size (mean diameter, 3.6 cm) of tumoral lesions and clinical severity of cirrhosis (11 patients in Child's class C were included). Ethanol was injected under sonographic guidance through 20 to 22 gauge needles so as to obtain homogeneous hyperechogenicity of lesions. A total of 271 PEI sessions were carried out, delivering 2 to 14 ml per session. All nodules but one decreased in size, and seven were no longer appreciable on sonography. Recurrence was detected in two patients. The 3 year survival rate of all cases was 86%. Child's classes A and B patients fared better (3 yr survival 100%); 2 year survival of subjects with HCC < or = 3 cm was 92%. Multifocality did not affect survival. Most patients experienced mild pain at the site of injection, but only two major complications were encountered: partial chemical thrombosis of the left portal vein and cholangitis. Both cases were managed conservatively. In conclusion, PEI seems to offer a safe and valuable tool for therapy of HCC, especially in patients with good functional liver reserve and small (< or = 3 cm) tumors.     

Radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with and without cirrhosis

Introduction

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of death in patients with cirrhosis. Around 12% of all cases are associated with chronic liver disease without cirrhosis. The aim of our study was to compare primary tumor ablation rates, local tumor progression, safety, and long-term outcomes of radiofrequency ablation for single (less than 3.5 cm in diameter) or multiple HCC nodules (up to three nodules, each less than 3 cm) in both types of patients.

Methods

We treated 200 consecutive HCC patients recruited from a local sonographic screening program: 175 with cirrhosis and 25 with non-cirrhotic chronic liver disease.

Results

Complete ablation was achieved in 150 of the 175 patients (85.7%) (174 of the 206 nodules treated, 84.4%) in the cirrhotic group and in 24 of the 25 patients (96%) (27 of the 29 nodules treated; 93%) in the non-cirrhotic group. The two groups were not significantly different in terms of local tumor progression rates 1, 3, and 5 years after treatment (11%, 23%, and 24% among cirrhotics vs. 4%, 14%, and 14% among non-cirrhotic patients). Multifocal disease was more frequent among the cirrhotics. One-, three- and five-year survival rates were also similar in the cirrhotic (93%, 77%, and 61%) and non-cirrhotic groups (92%, 72%, and 64%). There were no treatment-related deaths. Severe complications occurred only in the cirrhotic group (2.2%).

Conclusions

Radiofrequency ablation is safe and effective treatment for HCC in patients with or without cirrhosis. The latter group has a significantly lower rate of multifocal disease.     

TACE＋PEI治疗原发性肝癌的临床研究

目的探讨肝动脉化疗栓塞术（TACE）结合经皮肝穿刺无水酒精注射术（PEI）治疗原发性肝癌的临床疗效。方法将82例肝癌患者分为对照组和治疗组,对照组单纯行TACE治疗,治疗组给予TACE＋PEI治疗,比较两组的治疗效果。结果治疗组与对照组相比,AFP下降率为88．2％和42．5％,肿瘤体积缩小有效率为83．5％和45％。半年、1年、2年生存率分别为100％、78．04％、53．65％和73．17％、52．22％、24．39％,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论肝动脉化疗栓塞术（TACE）结合经皮肝穿刺无水酒精注射术（PEI）治疗原发性肝癌的临床疗效明显优于单纯肝动脉化疗栓塞组。     

瘤内无水酒精注射治疗肝癌切除术后复发的疗效及预后因素分析

目的：研究经皮瘤内酒精注射（pereutaneous ethanol injection，PEI）治疗原发性肝癌术后复发病灶的疗效，分析影响预后的因素。方法：原发性肝癌术后复发患者行PEI治疗，部分患者合用射频毁损治疗（radiofrequency ablation，RFA）、肝动脉化疗栓塞治疗（transcatheter arterial chemoembolization，TACE）。采用寿命表法分析患者复发后的生存期，并分析影响患者生存期的因素。结果：58例术后复发患者治疗后1、3、5年生存率分别为96.6％、59．2％、29．3％，中位生存期为42．5个月。单因素分析显示Child-Pugh分级B级为疗效差的影响因素，合用RFA有助于提高疗效；多因素分析显示Child-Pugh分级为独立的预后因素。结论：酒精注射治疗复发性肝癌可取得较好疗效。     

肝癌血供灌注特征与个体化介入治疗相关性的超声造影研究

目的 探讨不同类型肝癌的血供特点及确立个体化介入治疗模式的价值.方法 对315例经病理证实的肝癌应用彩色多普勒超声(CDUS)及超声造影(CEUS)行血供灌注特征分析并分型,采用不同介入治疗技术建立合理有效的个体化联合治疗模式,并采用CEUS、增强CT(CECT)、数字减影血管造影(DSA)进行疗效评估.结果 CDUS及CEUS可判定肝癌血供特征并分型.根据CDUS及CEUS确定的肝癌血供特征建立个体化介入治疗模式并评估疗效:①肿瘤直径≤3 cm单发小肝癌组,直接行无水酒精瘤内注射术(PEI)、射频消融术(RF)或微波消融术(PMCT)治疗模式,肿瘤坏死率95.0%～97.9%,1、3年生存率分别为98.0%、87.8%.②肿瘤直径≤5 cm病灶≤3个肝癌组,行多点、多面RF/PMCT+PEI联合治疗模式,肿瘤坏死率93.7%～94.8%,1、3年生存率分别为89.8%、81.4%.③肿瘤直径＞5 cm以肝动脉为主多血供肝癌组,行肝动脉栓塞化疗术(TACE)+PEI+RF/PMCT联合治疗模式,肿瘤坏死率71.4%～73.8%,1、3年生存率分别为66.2%、47.6%.④肿瘤直径＞5 cm双重血供肝癌或合并门静脉癌栓组,在以上治疗基础上增加选择性门静脉栓塞化疗术(SPVE)治疗模式,肿瘤坏死率53.3%～55.6%,1、3年生存率分别为64.7%、40.0%.结论 根据CDUS和CEUS确定肝癌血供特征并建立个体化联合介入治疗模式,对非手术治疗肝癌具有重要的临床价值.     

原发性肝癌根治性切除术后复发按需治疗探讨

目的：探讨原发性肝癌根治性切除术后复发无手术指征者按需进行TACE和PEI治疗的优越性。方法：按需行TACE和PEI。结果：按需治疗者有较好的生存质量，不良反应较小，术后5年生存率达65．2％，与本研究所小肝癌根治性切除组5年生存率（64．8％）可比。结论：对原发性肝癌根治性切除术后复发无手术指征者按需行TACE和PEI治疗有助于提高生存质量，降低不良反应，延长生存期。     

原发性肝癌血管生成拟态表达对患者预后的影响

目的探讨血管生成拟态（vasculogenic mimicry,VM）表达对原发性肝癌（primary liver cancer,PLC）患者预后的影响。方法收集161例临床病理资料完整的PLC术后标本,15例癌旁组织做为对照。采用CD31-PAS双重免疫组化染色观察VM的表达,并进行统计分析。结果161例PLC患者VM表达率为37．9％（61／161）,对照组15例无VM表达。VM表达阳性者中位生存时间较阴性者少18．6月,1、2、3年的生存率分别为56％、40％和26％,生存分析显示其与VM表达阴性者差异有统计学意义（Logrank=10．705,P：0．001）。关联性分析结果显示VM的表达与PLC的TNM分期、肿瘤大小及肝细胞癌Edmondson分级有关（P值分别为0．025、0．032和0．006）;肝硬化与VM的表达存在明显的相关性（χ2=8．284,P=0．004）;Ⅲ～Ⅳ期、同一肿瘤体积分组（≥5cm,〈5cm）PLC患者以及HCC患者1、2、3年的生存率与VM的表达存在明显的相关性。结论PLC中存在VM表达,VM表达阳性者生存时间短于VM阴性者,VM可能是影响原发性肝癌患者预后生存率的一个因素。     

TACE、PEI、PVC介入三联疗法治疗中晚期肝癌

目的研究TACE、PEI、PVC介入三联疗法治疗原发性肝癌的疗效。方法(1)TACESeldinger′s法,5F导管、高选择、造影到位后注入5Fu1g、MMC10mg、ADM或EADM50～60mg与40%碘化油10～20mL的混合乳化剂。隔1～1.5月可重复;(2)PEICT引导下18GPTC穿剌针穿入肿瘤碘油缺损区,注入无水酒精2～8mL或10～20mL,1～2次/周,4～6次为1疗程;(3)PVCPEI后1～2周,在B超引导下用18G中心静脉导管穿剌针到门静脉穿剌,留置中心静脉导管或植入药盒,1次注入MMC6～8mg,药泵持续5d灌注5Fu2.5～3g。可隔3～4周后重复给药。结果本组14例,病灶缩小率为71.4%,AFP下降占85.7%;半年生存率为78.6%,1年生存率为57.1%,2年生存率为28.6%。结论介入三联疗法对不能手术切除,尤其对门静脉癌栓或门静脉供血的肝癌有较好的疗效,具优势互补作用。     

The clinical application of PIVKA‐II in hepatocellular carcinoma and chronic liver diseases: A multi‐center study in China

BackgroundDue to the absence of specific symptoms and low survival rate, efficient biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis are urgently required. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist‐II (PIVKA‐II) and to determine the optimal cutoff values for HBV infection‐related HCC.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional, multi‐center study in China to ascertain the cutoff value for HCC patients in the context of CHB‐ and HBV‐related cirrhosis. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and the area under the curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of PIVKA‐II.ResultsThis study enrolled 784 subjects and demonstrated that PIVKA‐II had a sensitivity of 84.08% and a specificity of 90.43% in diagnosis HCC from chronic liver diseases. PIVKA‐II at a cutoff of 37.5 mAU/mL yielded an AUC of 0.9737 (sensitivity 91.78% and specificity 96.30%) in discriminating HCC from chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. PIVKA‐II at a cutoff of 45 mAU/mL yielded an AUC of 0.9419 (sensitivity 77.46% and specificity 95.12%) in discriminating HCC‐ from HBV‐related cirrhosis patients. Furthermore, using a cutoff value of 40 mAU/mL for PIVKA‐II as an HCC marker, only 4.81% (15/312) was positive in chronic hepatitis and 12.80% (37/289) in cirrhosis patients, revealing the satisfactory specificity of PIVKA‐II in chronic liver disease of different etiologies.ConclusionOur data indicated that PIVKA‐II had satisfactory diagnostic efficiencies and could be used as a screening or surveillance biomarker in HCC high‐risk population.     

Hepatitis B virus related hepatocellular carcinoma is the predominant cause of liver cancer in Bangladesh

ObjectiveTo investigate the etiology and other factor in development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Bangladesh.MethodData from past studies were compared with our data to assess the etiology and other factor in development of HCC. Mainly four studies were compared which were done in different time. Ultrasonography was principle modality of primary diagnosis. Fine needle aspiration cytology was done in all cases to have tissue diagnosis.ResultsPrevious studies demonstrate hepatitis B in at least 46.9% cases. Recent studies demonstrate at least 61% association of HCC with hepatitis B infection. Our data which include 39 patients (M: F = 29: 10, Age 22–75 years, mean 51 year) demonstrate HBsAg positivity was present in 16 (41%), Anti HCV positivity in 2 (5%), both negativity in 8 (20.5%) and secondary carcinoma in 13 (33.3%) cases. If only primary HCC is considered then hepatitis B virus (HBV) related HCC constituted 61.5%. Alpha feto-protein was > 350 ng/mL in 11 out of 26 cases (42.3%).ConclusionsThough the study populations are small, they reflect that the prevalence of HBV related HCC correlates with the existing prevalence of HBsAg positivity in general population. Also the etiology has not changed over years and prevalence of hepatitis B related HCC is more or less a static as compared with previous studies.     

Five-year survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with laparoscopic microwave coagulation therapy

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: Hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) that are located near the liver surface are difficult to treat with percutaneous locoregional therapies, so we have performed laparoscopic microwave coagulation therapy (LMCT) for these HCCs. We assessed the long-term survival of patients with HCCs treated with LMCT, the factors related to their survival, and the rates and causes of local and distant recurrences. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Participants were 68 patients with HCC treated in the past 8 years with LMCT under local or general anesthesia. LMCT was done using microwave electrodes with tips ranging from 15 to 45 mm in length; the effectiveness of LMCT was confirmed using contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) within 2 weeks of the LMCT procedure while patients were still in hospital, and within 1-3 months after the procedure in an outpatient setting; and the follow-up study was performed periodically by CT, ultrasonography, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in addition to estimation of alpha fetoprotein. Factors contributing to survival were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The mean lengths of the major and minor axes of the 71 HCC nodules in 68 patients were 20 mm and 18 mm, respectively, and the mean lengths of the major and minor axes of the coagulated areas were 43 mm and 29 mm, respectively. At dynamic CT after the LMCT procedure, treatment in 62 of the 68 patients (91%) was judged to have been completely effective; the remaining six patients underwent additional therapy while still in hospital. Eight of the 68 patients (12%) had local recurrences, 39 of them (57%) had distant recurrences, and 21 of them (31%) had no recurrence up to December 31, 2003. A total of 14 patients (21%) died during the 16-56 months after LMCT. When the survival rate was assessed for all patients treated with LMCT, 1-year survival was 97 %, 3-year survival was 81%, and 5-year survival was 43%. Whether the therapy was for primary or secondary HCC strongly influenced survival. CONCLUSIONS: LMCT is a useful modality in clinical practice for treatment of HCC nodules located near the liver surface, and it can be safely performed, in its entirety, under direct visual guidance.     

Hepatocellular carcinoma developing at the puncture site after percutaneous ethanol injection

Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) is an option for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment that is most effective for solitary lesions 相似文献