Regional hyperthermia in the treatment of primary hepatic carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this research was to investigate the clinical significance of regional hyperthermia in the treatment of primary hepatic carcinoma (PHC).


METHODS
The regional hyperthermia (60 degrees C) was used whenever there was suspicion of residual cancer tissues on the edge of the hepatic resection. The hyperthermia was maintained for about 5-20 min depending on the size and the amounts of residual nodulus. If there was obvious necrosis on the hyperthermia-treated site, the solidified tissues were removed. Otherwise, the solidified tissues were kept in situ.


RESULTS
There were 68 cases of PHC patients in this study. The patients were divided into 4 groups: A, lobectomy, 14 cases; B, lobectomy plus regional hyperthermia, 12 cases; C, regional hepatectomy, 16 cases; D, regional hepatectomy plus regional hyperthermia, 26 cases. All patients were followed after their operations. The mean survival time of the 4 groups was as follows: Group A, 346.5 days (186-921 days); Group B, 432.6 days (254-1189 days); Group C, 525.4 days (192-1016 days); and Group D, 1142 (from 318 days to seven years and two months) days. There were significant differences between Groups A and B (P < 0.01) and between Groups C and D (P < 0.01). It seems that regional hyperthermia on the hepatic resection edge can prolong patients' survival time.


CONCLUSIONS
Regional hyperthermia on the hepatic resection edge is helpful for prolonging patients' survival time in the treatment of primary hepatic carcinoma.
Ge
H
H
Department of General Surgery, Xin Qiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, PR China.
Huang
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged