[Treatment of non-resectable liver tumors with percutaneous interstitial laser coagulation while interrupting blood circulation to the liver].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate, in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma or colorectal carcinoma disseminated to the liver, treatment with interstitial laser coagulation (ILC) during temporary occlusion of vascular inflow in the liver: feasibility, complications and initial tumour response.


METHODS
Prospective, descriptive.


METHODS
Patients were included if their tumours were surgically irresectable and smaller than 4 cm in diameter and did not exceed a number of 3. ILC was performed under general anaesthesia, basically via a percutaneous approach. Vascular inflow was occluded during laser treatment. Twenty-four hours after ILC a triphasic spiral CT was performed to assess the result of the treatment.


RESULTS
In 10 patients 14 hepatic tumours were lasered in 12 treatment sessions (10 percutaneous and 2 at laparotomy). After 5 treatment sessions, complications were observed of which pain at the insertion site of the catheters was the most frequent. For 6 out of the 10 patients with percutaneous procedures, discharge was within 24 hours after ILC. Nine out of the 14 tumours (65%) were completely coagulated.


CONCLUSIONS
ILC with vascular inflow occlusion is a safe and feasible technique that can be performed during a short hospital stay. Initial tumour response is 65% and these results justify determination of duration of response in a larger group of patients.
Heisterkamp
J
J
Afd. Heelkunde, Academisch Ziekenhuis Rotterdam-Dijkzigt, Rotterdam. heisterkamp@heel.fgg.eur.nl
van Hillegersberg
R
R
de Man
R A
RA
Tilanus
H W
HW
Kuiper
J W
JW
Pattynama
P M
PM
Ijzermans
J N
JN
D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome