Safety and efficacy of radiofrequency thermal ablation in advanced liver tumors.
OBJECTIVE
Radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) can be performed safely and effectively to control local disease in patients with advanced, unresectable liver tumors.


METHODS
Prospective study of 76 patients with unresectable liver tumors who underwent RFA at a private tertiary referral hospital.


METHODS
Ninety-nine RFA operations were performed to ablate 328 tumors.


METHODS
Complications and local recurrence.


RESULTS
There was 1 death (1%), major complications occurred in 7 operations (7%), and minor complications occurred in 10 operations (10%). Local recurrence was identified in 30 tumors (9%) at a mean follow-up of 15 months. Size (P<.001), vascular invasion (P<.001), and total volume ablated (P<.001) were associated with recurrence but the number of tumors was not (P =.39).


CONCLUSIONS
Radiofrequency thermal ablation provides local control of advanced liver tumors with low recurrence and acceptable morbidity.
Bowles
B J
BJ
Department of Surgery, University of Hawaii School of Medicine, Honolulu, HI, USA.
Machi
J
J
Limm
W M
WM
Severino
R
R
Oishi
A J
AJ
Furumoto
N L
NL
Wong
L L
LL
Oishi
R H
RH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography