[Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of liver malignancies].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the safety and efficacy of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) to treat liver cancer.


METHODS
One hundred patients with histologically or clinically confirmed primary or metastatic malignancies were treated percutaneously under ultrasound guidance using LeVeen multipolar array needle electrode and RF 2000 generator between October, 1999 and October, 2000. All patients were followed up to assess complication, treatment response, recurrence and curative effect.


RESULTS
PRFA was performed in 76 patients with primary liver cancer and 24 patients with metastatic liver cancer. AFP positive of small hepatic cancer (inoperative) became AFP negative in 75.0% patient (21/28). The rate of completely concrete necrosis of small hepatic malignancies shown by MRI was 85.9%(61/71).


CONCLUSIONS
PRFA as a local thermal therapy is a kind of new palliative treatment for hepatic malignancies. It is minimally invasive, safe and effective especially for small hepatic tumors and can also be used in conjunction with TACE for larger ones.
Zhang
Z
Z
Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China.
Wu
M
M
Chen
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional