Ultrasound-guided percutaneous thermal ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma using microwave and radiofrequency ablation

• Published in: Clinical radiology Vol. 59; no. 1; pp. 53 - 61
• Main Authors: Xu, H.-X, Xie, X.-Y, Lu, M.-D, Chen, J.-W, Yin, X.-Y, Xu, Z.-F, Liu, G.-J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 2004; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - diagnostic imaging; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - surgery; Catheter Ablation - methods; Disease-Free Survival; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Liver Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Liver Neoplasms - surgery; Liver. Biliary tract. Portal circulation. Exocrine pancreas; Male; Medical sciences; Microwave ablation; Microwaves - therapeutic use; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local - surgery; Radiofrequency ablation; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); Risk Factors; Thermal ablation; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; Treatment Outcome; Tumors; Ultrasound; Radiofrequency ablation; Thermal ablation; Microwave ablation; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Ultrasound; Nuclear medicine; Agonist; Prognosis; Neuroleptic; Psychotropic; μ Opioid receptor; Materials; Microwave; Hepatic disease; Opiates; Male; Narcotic analgesic; Nodule; Percutaneous route; Energy; Female; Antagonist; Age; Sonography; Human; Radiodiagnosis; Butyrophenone derivatives; Malignant tumor; Method; Radiofrequency; Ablation; Guidance; D2 Dopamine receptor; Treatment; Tranquillizer; Echography; Radiology; Digestive diseases; Medical imagery; Application
• ISSN: 0009-9260; 1365-229X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2003.09.006

AIM: To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of thermal ablation for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using microwave and radiofrequency (RF) energy application. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 190 nodules in 97 patients (84 male, 13 female; mean age 53.4 years, range 24–74 years) with HCC were treated with microwave or RF ablation in the last 4 years. The applicators were introduced into the tumours under conscious analgesic sedation by intravenous administration of fentanyl citrate and droperidol and local anaesthesia in both thermal ablation procedures. The patients were then followed up with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) to evaluate treatment response. Survival was analysed using the Kaplan–Meier method. RESULTS: Complete ablation was obtained in 92.6% (176/190) nodules. The complete ablation rates were 94.6% (106/112) in microwave ablation and 89.7% (70/78) in RF ablation. The complete ablation rates in tumours≤2.0, 2.1–3.9 and ≥4.0 cm were 93.1, 93.8 and 86.4%, respectively. Local recurrence was found in 9.5% nodules and the rates in tumours≤2.0, 2.1–3.9 and ≥4.0 cm in diameter were 3.4, 9.9 and 31.8%, respectively. In the follow-up period, 7.1% nodules ablated by microwave and 12.8% by RF presented local recurrence. The 1, 2 and 3-year distant recurrence-free survivals were 47.2, 34.9 and 31.0%, respectively. Estimated mean survival was 32 months, and 1, 2 and 3-year cumulative survivals were 75.6, 58.5, and 50.0%, respectively. One and 2 years survivals of Child–Pugh class A, B and C patients were 83.8 and 70.4%, 78.2 and 53.2%, 36.3 and 27.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Thermal ablation therapy by means of microwave and RF energy application is an effective and safe therapeutic technique for hepatocellular carcinoma. Large tumours can be completely ablated, but have a significantly higher risk of local recurrence at follow-up.