Radiofrequency ablation of malignant hepatic neoplasms.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of malignant neoplasms of the liver.

METHODS:

Sixty-seven patients received RFA for primary or secondary hepatic malignancies. Patients were followed prospectively with computed tomography (CT) scanning to assess for therapeutic response, disease progression and complications.

RESULTS:

Eighty-eight lesions were treated, including 57 hepatocellular carcinomas, 28 metastases, 2 cholangiocarcinomas and 1 hepatic plasmacytoma. Mean tumour size was 2.7 cm (range 0.5-6.9 cm). A total of 101 ablations were performed (66 percutaneously, 35 intraoperatively). Over a mean follow-up period of 142 days, results were available for 85 lesions. Local tumour control was achieved for 61 (72%) lesions, but new distant lesions developed in 6 of these cases. Residual disease was present in 20 (23%) lesions, and 4 (5%) lesions developed local recurrence. There were 10 complications, including 1 death in a patient who developed a liver abscess and subsequently died from hepatic failure.

CONCLUSIONS:

RFA is safe and effective in the treatment of hepatic malignancies. Local tumour control can be achieved in most cases; however, careful surveillance is important for detecting recurrent disease, as well as new lesions distant from the treated site.

• Authors: Raymond P Chan, Murray Asch, John Kachura, Chia-Sing Ho, Paul Greig, Bernard Langer, Morris Sherman, Florence Wong, Ronald Feld, Steven Gallinger
• Journal: Canadian Association of Radiologists journal = Journal l'Association canadienne des radiologistes (Can Assoc Radiol J) Vol. 53 Issue 5 Pg. 272-8 (Dec 2002) ISSN: 0846-5371 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12500378 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Contrast Media

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (diagnostic imaging, secondary, surgery)
• Catheter Ablation (adverse effects, methods)
• Contrast Media
• Female
• Humans
• Liver Neoplasms (diagnostic imaging, secondary, surgery)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
• Neoplasm, Residual
• Prospective Studies
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed