Selective portal vein clamping for radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein invasion.
Surgical resection provides potential cure for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Unfortunately, resection is suitable in only about 10-37% of patients because of the limited hepatic functional reserve from the underlying chronic liver disease in the majority of patients. Survival of patients with unresectable diseases, especially those with portal vein tumor invasion, remains very poor. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a form of locoregional therapy that allows a selected group of previously inoperable patients to be treated. However, problems with RFA leading to induced portal vein thrombosis have been reported in the literature. Nevertheless, patients with portal vein tumor invasion may be considered for radiofrequency tumor ablation to improve survival. We report the case of a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma with left portal vein invasion. Complete tumor ablation was achieved after RFA with left portal vein clamping. He remained disease free both radiologically and biochemically 6 months after the operation.
Chok
Kenneth S
KS
Centre for the Study of Liver Disease and Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
Ng
Kenneth C
KC
Lam
Chi Ming
CM
Ng
Kelvin K
KK
Poon
Ronnie T
RT
Fan
Sheung Tat
ST
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed