[Laparoscopic and percutaneous ultrasound guided radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: a preliminary study].
OBJECTIVE
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is emerging as a new therapeutic method in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We report the results of 64 patients with a follow-up interval of 3 to 19 months.


METHODS
Sixty-four patients with 82 nodules underwent ultrasound guided RFA. The mean tumor diameter was 2.5+/-1.0 cm. Laparoscopic ultrasound guided RFA was performed in 38 cases, and percutaneous ultrasound guided RFA in 26 cases. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by means of three-phase dynamic abdominal computed tomography (CT) performed within at least one week after ablating. The recurrence was evaluated after treatment by means of abdominal CT and alpha fetoprotein every 3 months. We calculated cumulative recurrence rates, survival rates of patients, and found out complication of RFA.


RESULTS
Cumulative recurrence rates in 3, 6, 12 months after RFA was 8.8%, 15.8%, 25.9%. 12 cases were recurred during follow-up. Among them, intrahepatic recurrences were noted in 11 cases, local recurrences in 3 cases. Cumulative survival curves indicated that survival rate was 95% at the third month, 94% at the sixth month, 81% at the twelfth month. After RFA, the alpha fetoprotein level was decreased significantly after 1 month (p<0.05), and serum transaminase levels were transiently elevated (p<0.01) but returned to normal within one week. Complications of RFA were not serious, and resolved spontaneously.


CONCLUSIONS
RFA can be considered a useful new treatment for HCC. Laparoscopic RFA is a useful procedure for the treatment of HCC regardless of its location.
Jung
Min Kyu
MK
Department of Internal Medicine, Liver Research Institute, Kyungpook National University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea. wytak@knu.ac.kr
Lee
Jong Hyup
JH
Kim
Tae Seok
TS
Kim
Hyun Soo
HS
Cho
Chang Min
CM
Tak
Won Young
WY
Kweon
Young Oh
YO
Kim
Sung Kook
SK
Choi
Yong Hwan
YH
Chung
Joon Mo
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional