Radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma

The majority of patients with primary or metastatic hepatic tumors are not candidates for resection because of tumor size, location near major intrahepatic blood vessels precluding a margin-negative resection, multifocality, or inadequate hepatic function related to coexistent cirrhosis. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an evolving technology being used to treat patients with unresectable primary and metastatic hepatic cancers. RFA produces coagulative necrosis of tumor through local tissue heating. Liver tumors are treated percutaneously, laparoscopically, or during laparotomy using ultrasonography to identify tumors and to guide placement of the RFA needle electrode. For tumors smaller than 2.0 cm in diameter, one or two deployments of the monopolar multiple array needle electrode is sufficient to produce complete coagulative necrosis of the tumor. However, with increasing size of the tumor, there is a concomitant increase in the number of deployments of the needle electrode and the overall time necessary to produce complete coagulative necrosis of the tumor. In general, RFA is a safe, well-tolerated, effective treatment for unresectable hepatic malignancies less than 6.0 cm in diameter. Effective treatment of larger tumors awaits the development of more powerful, larger array monopolar and bipolar RFA technologies.     

Radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: a survival analysis of 117 patients

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies in the world especially in Asia. Radiofrequency ablation is now commonly use as either first line or in combination with other treatment modality for patients with HCC. It is the objective of this article to report our experience in a tertiary referral hospital. Methods: Patients who diagnosed with HCC and underwent RFA in Queen Elizabeth Hospital during the period from May 2002 to February 2009 were included and analyzed. Results: During this period, 138 sessions of RFA were performed in 117 consecutive patients with HCC. The calculated rate of primary (single attempt) successful ablation during this entire period was 89.2%. The in‐hospital/30‐day mortality rate was zero, and morbidity was 24.1%. Hospital stays were significantly longer in the open group (4.4 days versus 8.9 days, P = 0.000). Median follow‐up in this study was 21 months. 11 (9.4%), 10 (8.5%) and 49 (41.0%) patients developed local tumor progression (LTP), systemic recurrence and Intrahepatic distant recurrence (IDR), respectively. The mean and median times to recurrence were 15.4 and 11 months, respectively. Most patients (91%) with LTP developed in the first 24 months. Disease‐free survival was 65% at 1 year, 40% at 3 years and 25% at 5 years. Overall survival at 1, 3 and 5 years was 85, 66 and 40%, respectively. Alpha fetoprotein, aFP > 1,000 ng/ml and multiple tumor ablation predicted increased risk of recurrence. Conclusion: Radiofrequecy ablation is useful tool in treating patients with HCC with high successful rate. However, intrahepatic recurrence is common and a well designed post ablation follow up protocol based on a sound knowledge of recurrence pattern is vital.     

射频消融治疗肝癌肝移植术后肿瘤肝内复发的临床分析

探讨射频消融(radiofrequency ablation,RFA)治疗原发性肝细胞癌(肝癌)肝移植术后肿瘤肝内复发的疗效及其安全性.方法 肝癌肝移植术后肿瘤肝内复发患者33例,其中26例采用RFA治疗者为RFA组,7例采用手术切除治疗者为手术组.观察与比较两组患者的手术时间、出血量、输血量、复发率、生存率、住院时间、临床转归情况,记录RFA组的术后并发症和不良反应.结果 RFA组和手术组的手术时间分别为(91±12)min、(242±27)min,出血量分别为0、(227±113)ml,输血量分别为0、(114±101)ml,住院时间分别为(6.0±1.4)d、(18.4±6.1)d,比较差异均有统计学意义(均为P<0.05).RFA组26例中死亡7例,手术组7例中5例死亡.RFA组和手术组的中位生存时间分别为13个月、10个月,两组的中位生存时间比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),两组的术后复发率分别为81%(21/26)、2/7,比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).RFA组近期并发症为肝包膜下出血(31%);常见不良反应为发热(92%)、疼痛(100%)、胃肠道症状(42%),经对症处理可耐受.结论 RFA治疗肝移植术后肝癌肝内复发疗效较好,而且并发症少、患者耐受良好.     

Radiofrequency interstitial thermal ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma in liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND: The laparoscopic approach to radiofrequency interstitial thermal ablation (RITA) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with intraoperative ultrasound guidance has been proposed with the aim of obtaining additional information for a better neoplastic staging and a complete and effective treatment of the liver lesions in patients with a difficult percutaneous approach. METHODS: In this pilot study, 29 patients with HCC in liver cirrhosis were submitted to laparoscopic RITA under sonographic guide. Most of these patients were in Child's A class of liver function. Patients with large tumors (> 5 cm), portal vein thrombosis, or severe liver disease (Child's C class) were excluded from the study. RESULTS: The laparoscopic RITA procedure was completed in 27 of 29 patients (93% feasibility rate). The laparoscopic ultrasound examination identified new malignant liver nodules in five patients (18.5%). A total of 44 lesions were treated. The mean operative time was 75.8 +/- 20.5 min (range, 45-120 min), and the mean RITA time was 18 +/- 10 min (range, 10-56 min). There was no operative mortality, and postoperative morbidity was low (four cases) without any mortality. A complete tumor necrosis was observed in 90% of the patients via spiral computed tomography (CT) 1 month after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic RITA of hepatocellular carcinoma proved to be a safe and effective technique, at least in the short term. Its role in the treatment of HCC needs to be defined in larger series.     

Radiofrequency ablation with hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in the caudate lobe

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the caudate lobe with severe liver dysfunction. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: HCC in the caudate lobe remains one of the most difficult locations where various treatments tend to pose problems regarding the optimal surgical approach. The technique of HALS has thus been proposed as a useful method for performing a safe RFA therapy. For this study, we assessed the feasibility and safety of RFA with HALS for the treatment of HCC in the caudate lobe with liver dysfunction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between July 1999 and February 2005, 5 patients who suffered from HCC in the caudate lobe were indicated for RFA. The percutaneous puncture was difficult and all patients have severe liver dysfunction with viral chronic hepatitis. Therefore, RFA was assisted by an inserted hand through a minimal skin incision under laparoscopic inspection. An intraoperative endoscopic ultrasound examination was performed before RFA to determine the tumor region. The hand-assisted minimal dissection around the caudate lobe was required to detect tumor and avoid injuries of other tissues. RFA for HCC was performed using a cooled-tip (Radionics Inc, Burligton, MA) connected to a RF generator under the programmed cyclic impedance. RESULTS: The surgical procedures consisted of 5 RFA to tumors in the caudate lobe with HALS, which was performed safely, and a postoperative computed tomography scan revealed a sufficient ablation in all patients. There was no operative mortality but 1 patient had minor bile leakage, which was treated conservatively, and all patients recovered and thus were eventually discharged. One patient had local recurrence after 3 months, 3 patients had tumor recurrences in another segment after 6 months. At a mean follow-up 32.2 months, all patients were still alive. CONCLUSIONS: RFA with HALS is considered to be a safe and feasible technique for HCC in the caudate lobe with liver dysfunction.     

射频消融术与传统手术治疗小肝癌疗效与安全性的Meta分析

目的 对比射频消融术（radiofrequency ablation,RFA）与传统手术（traditional surgery,TS）在小肝癌中的疗效和安全性。方法 检索国内外公开数据库,检索员至少2人,检索的数据库主要包括：国外数据库如Embase、PubMed、the Cochrane Library,中文数据库如中国知网数据库、中国生物医学文献 数据库、万方数据库、维普数据库。检索射频消融术与传统手术治疗小肝癌的对照试验,年限为2008年 1月至2018年1月,以Cochrane系统评价手册内的质量评价标准进行筛选和评价,用Revman 5.3软件进行 Meta分析。结果 本研究共纳入10篇文献,射频组共1 503例,手术组共1 657例。Meta分析结果表明：在 1年总生存率方面,二组无统计学差异（P＞0.05）,而在 3、5年总生存率和1、3、5年无瘤生存率方面,手 术组的生存率高于射频组（P＜0.05）。在并发症方面,射频组并发症发生率低于手术组患者（P＜0.05）。 结论 在长期生存率方面,传统手术对于小肝癌的疗效要优于射频消融术;但射频消融术并发症少,安全 性更高。     

射频消融治疗小肝癌疗效及预后因素分析

目的：探讨射频消融治疗小肝癌的疗效及预后影响因素。 方法：回顾中南大学湘雅医院2006年1月—2013年6月行射频消融治疗98例小肝癌患者临床资料,分析患者的局部肿瘤进展率、复发率、生存率及预后影响因素。 结果：98例患者随访2~92个月,平均34.8个月。1、3、5年累积分别为17.3%、27.4%、30.9%;1、3、5年累积肝内远处复发率分别为25.7%、62.1%,77.3%;1、2、3、4、5年累积总体生存率分别为95.4%、85.4%、65.9%、54.7%、39.9%;1、2、3、4、5年累积无瘤生存率分别为74.0%、52.7%、45.0%、37.0%、25.3%。多因素分析显示,白蛋白≤35 g/L（P=0.001）、首次复发时间≤1年（P=0.002）或首次复发为不同肝段肝内远处复发（P=0.004）是影响患者总体生存的危险因素。 结论：射频消融治疗小肝癌安全、有效,对于早期肝内复发的病灶具有很高的可重复操作性。术前低血清白蛋白水平、首次复发时间短以及首次不同肝段肝内远处复发是影响患者预后的重要因素。     

Radiofrequency ablation causes 'thermal fixation' of hepatocellular carcinoma: a post-liver transplant histopathologic study

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is increasingly used to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients awaiting a liver transplant. Despite its increasing use, detailed histologic information is scarce regarding the nature of RFA-treated lesions. We identified four chronic hepatitis C patients who had RFA of their HCC before their liver transplant. For these four patients, we conducted a detailed histopathologic analysis of the treated lesions in their explanted livers. The five lesions included immediate (4 d) and long-term (14 months) post-RFA specimens. Of the five lesions, four were completely ablated. The one incompletely ablated lesion was also treated with chemoembolization. In the acute post-RFA period, a zone of interstitial hemorrhage occurred at the outer boundary of the lesion. Differing from classic tissue necrosis, the treated lesions all showed 'thermal fixation', with preserved tissue architecture and microscopic cellular detail. The cellular staining characteristics faded with time, but the treated tissue became brittle, resisted tissue breakdown, and generated a minimal wound healing response. At the periphery of the lesion, the fibrous septae of the cirrhotic liver and vascular structures appeared to demarcate or limit progression of the ablation front. A narrow hypocellular fibrous boundary with a focal 'foreign body' giant cell-type reaction developed around the edge of the ablation zone. Thus, RFA can produce immediate and complete thermal fixation of select lesions with an appropriate liver margin and can provide a satisfactory treatment option for select HCC patients before a liver transplant.     

Radiofrequency ablation,PEIT, and TACE for hepatocellular carcinoma

At detection or over time, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is multicentric in origin, against a background of chronic hepatic disease at different stages. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the only therapy able to definitely cure both diseases. When OLT is not feasible, all other options can be only palliative. Owing to the multicentricity, surgical resection may be one possible option at the initial detection in selected patients, whereas percutaneous interventional techniques (percutaneous ethanol injection [PEI], radiofrequency ablation [RFA], selected transcatheter arterial chemoembolization [TACE]) are the options more often used. The range of their indications is becoming wider. Although it is understood that partial resection assures the greatest local control, the survival rates after surgery are roughly comparable with those obtained with PEI. The explanation for this result reflects a balance among the advantages and disadvantages of the two therapies. PEI survival curves are better than curves of resected patients who present with adverse prognostic factors, and this means that a better selection of the patients for surgery is needed. An open question remains the choice among percutaneous techniques. In our department we currently use RFA in most patients but consider PEI and selected TACE complementary, and use them according to the features of the disease and the response. Received: February 19, 2002 / Accepted: March 8, 2002 RID="*" ID="*" Offprint requests to: T. Livraghi     

Radiofrequency ablation of small hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients awaiting liver transplantation: a prospective study

OBJECTIVE: Determine the histologic response-rate (complete versus partial tumor extinction) after single radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) arising in cirrhosis. Investigate possible predictors of response and assess efficacy and safety of RFA as a bridge to liver transplantation (OLT). BACKGROUND: RFA has become the elective treatment of local control of HCC, although histologic data supporting radiologic assessment of response are rare and prospective studies are lacking. Prognostic impact of repeated RFA for HCC persistence is also undetermined. METHODS: Percentage of RFA-induced necrosis and tumor persistence-rate at various intervals from treatment was studied in 60 HCC (median: 3 cm; Milan-Criteria IN: 80%) isolated in 50 consecutive cirrhotic patients undergoing OLT. Single-session RFA was the only treatment planned before OLT. Histologic response determined on explanted livers was related to 28 variables and to pre-OLT CT scan. RESULTS: Mean interval RFA-->OLT was 9.5 months. Post-RFA complete response rate was 55%, rising to 63% for HCC 3 cm (P = 0.05). Post-RFA tumor persistence probability increased with time (12 months: 59%; 18 months: 70%). Radiologic response rate was 70%, not significantly different from histology. Major post-RFA morbidity was 8%. No mortality, Child deterioration, patient withdrawal because of tumor progression was observed. Post-OLT 3-year patient/graft survival was 83%. CONCLUSIONS: RFA is a safe and effective treatment of small HCC in cirrhotics awaiting OLT, although tumor size (>3 cm) and time from treatment (>1 year) predict a high risk of tumor persistence in the targeted nodule. RFA should not be considered an independent therapy for HCC.     

射频消融或联合经皮瘤内无水乙醇注射治疗小肝癌181例疗效分析

目的总结经皮射频消融(radiofrequency ablation, RFA)治疗小肝癌的疗效. 方法应用RFA治疗小肝癌(≤5 cm)181例,其中RFA治疗128例,经皮瘤内无水乙醇注射(percutaneous ethanol injection, PEI)-RFA治疗53例. 结果全部病例随访1～46月(中位时间17月).1,2,3年生存率分别为89.47%,74.42%,49.88%.单发病灶直径＜3.0 cm组,1,2,3年生存率分别为94.63%,83.69%,70.47%;单发直径3.0～5.0 cm组为89.01%,69.39%,50.11%;多发病灶直径之和≤5.0 cm 组为78.28%,62.82%,0(P=0.041 9).RFA,PEI-RFA组1,2,3年生存率分别为88.23%,73.58%,45.97%和92.73%,76.83%,76.83%(P=0.316 8). 结论 RFA是一种安全有效的治疗手段,其结果受病灶大小和肿瘤数目的影响,与PEI联合应用或许可以提高疗效.     

射频消融与再手术治疗符合米兰标准的术后复发性肝癌的Meta分析

目的:比较射频消融术(RFA)与外科手术再切除(SRR)治疗符合米兰标准的术后复发性肝癌的有效性与安全性。方法:检索国内外数据库,收集2000年1月—2017年1月间发表的对比RFA和SRR治疗符合米兰标准的术后复发性肝癌的临床对照试验,用RevMan 5.3软件对符合标准的临床试验数据进行分析。结果:纳入11个临床试验共1 079例患者,其中RFA治疗患者560例(RFA组),SRR治疗患者519例(SRR组)。Meta分析结果显示,两组术后1、3、5年生存率差异均无统计学意义(均P0.05),但RFA组术后并发症发生率明显低于SRR组(OR=0.25,95%CI=0.14~0.44,P0.00001)、住院时间明显短于SRR组(OR=-6.57,95%CI=-7.74~-4.09,P0.00001),而SRR组3年无瘤生存率明显优于RFA组(OR=0.60,95%CI=0.42~0.86,P=0.006)。结论:两种方式治疗符合米兰标准的术后复发性肝癌的临床疗效无显著区别,但RFA具有微创、可重复操作、安全性高等优势。     

Resection and radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: a single-center experience

Background  

We have been utilizing both resection and laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study is to describe patient characteristics and outcome for each treatment modality from a single institution.     

射频技术在肝细胞癌临床应用中的选择、疗效与思考

射频消融为治疗肝细胞癌的重要方法,具有微创性,可重复性,疗效确切等优点.对于不适宜手术及肝移植的早期肝细胞癌患者,许多中心已将其作为一种有效的手段.笔者回顾了射频治疗肝细胞癌的适应证、技术及疗效.我们体会,对于射频治疗,合理选择患者、优化治疗方案、完全灭活肿瘤与术后密切随访非常重要.新技术的应用,如人工胸水与腹水辅助穿刺、实时超声造影术中引导,腹腔镜与开腹射频,更有助于拓展射频治疗的适应证,减少术后并发症.

Abstract：

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been playing an important role in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is minimally invasive, easily repeatable and potentially curative. Many centers now accept it to be the best therapeutic choice for patients with early-stage HCC when liver transplantation or surgical resection is not suitable. In this article, we reviewed the indications, techniques , and clinical results of RFA in the treatment of HCC.Suitable patient selection, good pre-treatment planning,complete ablation, and careful post-treatment follow up are important. Techniques, such as artificial pleural effusion and ascites, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography-guided RFA,laparoscopic or open surgical approaches have reduced complications and expanded the indications for RFA.     

腹腔镜下射频消融治疗肝细胞肝癌

目的 评价分析腹腔镜下射频消融(radiofrequency ablation,RFA)治疗原发性肝癌的安全及疗效性.方法 回顾性研究分析2008年5月至2010年7月中日友好医院应用腹腔镜下RFA治疗原发性肝癌78例,全部病例均在腹腔镜超声引导下至少一个病灶穿刺活检确诊为肝细胞肝癌.其中男41例,女37例,年龄31～87岁(中位年龄57岁).统计分析肿瘤坏死情况、肿瘤局部复发对总生存率的影响.结果 78例患者中位随访16个月.肿瘤直径、是否邻近大血管、周围是否有卫星灶及是否联合经导管肝动脉化疗栓塞(transcatheter arterial chemoembolization,TACE)是影响肿瘤复发的主要因素.直径＜3 cm的肿瘤完全消融率90.5％(38/42),明显比＞3 ～5 cm的肿瘤消融率71.4％ (20/28)高,二者比较差异有统计学意义(x2 =4.291,P=0.038).肿瘤未邻近大血管组的肿瘤消融率91.9％ (61/67),高于肿瘤邻近大血管组的消融率63.6％ (7/11),二者相比差异有统计学意义(x2 =6.351,P=0.012).RFA组和联合TACE组的肿瘤消融率分别为75.0％和88.9％,两者相比,差异无统计学意义(x2=1.567,P=0.211).RFA治疗后平均总生存期(48.7±2.4)个月,术后1、2、3、4、5年的总生存率分别为86.1％、76.9％、60.3％、51.8％、33.1％.结论 RFA是肝脏恶性肿瘤安全、有效的治疗手段,而腹腔镜下RFA,能够更好的判断肿瘤大小、数目以及肿瘤与周围血管的关系,使穿刺更加准确,从而获得更好的远期疗效.     

射频消融与手术切除治疗小肝癌的Meta分析

目的：比较经皮射频消融与手术切除治疗小肝癌的疗效。方法：计算机检索文献,对纳入研究的方法及质量进行评价,并用RevMan 4.2.10版软件进行统计分析。结果：共纳入9个随机对照研究,Meta分析结果表明,两种治疗方法的1年总生存率差异无统计学意义,1、3年无瘤生存率、1年复发率手术组占优势。术后主要并发症及总住院时间,经皮射频消融组要优于手术组,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论：经皮热射频消融治疗小肝癌短期内总体疗效差异不大,但是远期看来,手术组的生存率较高,复发率要低于射频组。     

Laparoscopic hepatectomy: new approach for hepatocellular carcinoma

This article presents the rationale for the laparoscopic approach to liver surgery, showing the technique of fully endoscopic and endoscopic-assisted formal and wedge hepatic resections. The early results are comparable to those of conventional surgery, with the benefits derived from minimal access surgery. Laparoscopic liver resections are technically feasible, with an acceptable morbidity and mortality rate, but extensive experience in conventional liver surgery, advanced laparoscopic surgery, and the availability of all requested technologies are indispensable prerequisites. Received for publication on Jan. 17, 2000; accepted on April 1, 2000