Initial experience with radiofrequency ablation for hepatic tumours in the Netherlands.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to report initial experience with radiofrequency thermoablation (RFA) of malignant hepatic tumours.


METHODS
From June 1999 to November 2001, a seven centre study of 50 patients who had undergone RFA, included 102 primary or metastatic tumours. Multimodality therapy, complications, disease free survival and location of recurrence were recorded. Histopathologic examination was performed in a number of tumours treated with RFA and subsequently resected to determine the effect of RFA on the tissue level.


RESULTS
11 tumours (seven patients) were resected after prior treatment with RFA; NADH-diaphorase staining in all these tumours demonstrated non-viable tumour. Postoperative morbidity and mortality occurred in 14 patients and one patient, respectively, in three cases related to the RFA procedure. Median follow-up of 41 patients with non-resected RF ablated tumours was 11 months (range 1-24 months). 26 patients developed a recurrence of which three at the RFA site after 6-12 months.


CONCLUSIONS
RFA provides a simple method for local treatment of liver tumours. The introduction of this technique nevertheless involves morbidity and mortality.
Mutsaerts
E L A R
EL
Department of Surgery, The Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Ziekenhuis, Meibergdreef 9, Postbus 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Van Coevorden
F
F
Krause
R
R
Borel Rinkes
I H M
IH
Strobbe
L J A
LJ
Prevoo
W
W
Tollenaar
R A E M
RA
van Gulik
T M
TM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009426:Netherlands; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications