[Oligonodular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): MR-controlled laser-induced thermotherapy].
OBJECTIVE
To prospectively evaluate the therapeutic potential of MR-guided laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) in patients with oligonodular hepatocellular carcinoma.


METHODS
39 patients with 61 intrahepatic lesions were treated with LITT. The Nd:YAG laser fiber was introduced with a percutaneously positioned irrigated laser application system. Qualitative and quantitative MR parameters and clinical data were evaluated.


RESULTS
All patients tolerated the procedure well under local anesthesia. All observed complications were minor and no further treatment was necessary. Online MR thermometry allowed exact visualization. Lesions up to 2 cm in diameter could be efficiently treated with a single laser application, larger lesions were treated simultaneous multiapplication. In 97.5% we achieved a complete necrosis of the tumor and a 5 mm safety margin, resulting in a complete destruction of the tumor without local recurrences. Mean survival was 4.4 years (95% CI: 3.6-5.2 years) after the time of diagnoses of the HCC (Kaplan-Meier-method).


CONCLUSIONS
In intrahepatic oligonodular involvement of hepatocellular carcinoma LITT appears to be an effective therapeutic procedure with a high tumor control rate and better survival data.
Eichler
K
K
Institut für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie, Klinikum der Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe-Universität, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main. K.Eichler@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Mack
M G
MG
Straub
R
R
Engelmann
K
K
Zangos
S
S
Woitaschek
D
D
Vogl
T J
TJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome