Hepatic resection and percutaneous ethanol injection for the treatment of selected patients with more than one hepatocellular carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To report our results in a selected series of patients who had two separate hepatocellular carcinomas that were not suitable for treatment by resection alone or percutaneous injection of ethanol alone, whom we treated by a combination of the two.


METHODS
Open study.


METHODS
Teaching hospital, Italy.


METHODS
11 patients with Child's grade A or B cirrhosis who had two hepatocellular carcinomas in distant segments of the liver.


METHODS
Percutaneous injection of ethanol into the smaller of the two nodules before, during, or after resection.


METHODS
Morbidity, mortality, and recurrence.


RESULTS
No patient died and there was one postoperative complication (atelectasis). During a median follow-up period of 24 months (range 8-48) two patients have developed recurrences (at 10 and 18 months).


CONCLUSIONS
Although we have studied only a few patients for a relatively short time this double approach may be an important treatment option for suitable patients with two hepatocellular carcinomas.
Belli
G
G
Department of General Surgery and Organ Transplants, University of Naples, Federico II School of Medicine, Italy.
Iannelli
A
A
Romano
G
G
Marano
I
I
D000328:Adult; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology; D018579:Patient Selection; D013997:Time Factors
D000431:Ethanol