Interstitial laser coagulation with temporary hepatic artery occlusion for patients with cirrhosis and irresectable hepatoma.
BACKGROUND
The aim was to determine the degree of local control of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhotic liver disease when treated with ultrasonographically guided interstitial laser coagulation (ILC) with temporary hepatic artery occlusion.


METHODS
Sixteen patients with 24 HCC tumours were treated. Follow-up was by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging every 3 months.


RESULTS
Nineteen of 24 tumours showed complete necrosis immediately after treatment, and there was no tumour recurrence during follow-up (mean 14 months, median 12 months). No effect on liver function was observed after 1 week and there was no death. In 13 of the 16 patients, new HCC foci developed at other sites.


CONCLUSIONS
Percutaneous ILC combined with temporary hepatic artery occlusion during a single session is an effective local treatment for HCC nodules smaller than 5 cm. However, new HCC lesions develop in the majority of patients, which underscores the need for adjuvant therapy or repeated treatment in these patients.
Verhoef
C
C
Department of Surgery, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Kuiper
J W
JW
Heisterkamp
J
J
de Man
R A
RA
Pattynama
P M T
PM
IJzermans
J N M
JN
D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods