Intrahepatic tumor recurrence after partial hepatectomy: value of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the risks and benefits of percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation of recurrent hepatic tumors in patients who have undergone hepatic resection.


METHODS
Retrospective review of the institutional RF ablation database yielded 35 patients with recurrent hepatic tumor after hepatectomy. Sixty-one recurrent hepatic tumors (mean diameter +/- SD, 1.7 +/- 1.1 cm; range, 0.5-5.3 cm) were ablated percutaneously under sonographic guidance or combined guidance with sonographic and fluoroscopic computed tomography (CT). Follow-up CT, magnetic resonance imaging, or both were used for assessment of the primary and secondary therapeutic effectiveness rate and failure of RF ablation. Patients' survival status was determined by contacting the primary care physician or searching the Social Security Death Index.


RESULTS
Complete ablation was accomplished in 54 of 61 hepatic tumors (primary therapeutic effectiveness rate, 88.5%). During a mean follow-up time of 18 months (range, 1-65 months), 14.8% of the tumors (n = 9) were incompletely ablated. Three of the nine incompletely ablated tumors were treated with a second RF ablation, all three of which failed (secondary therapeutic effectiveness rate, 0%). Distant intrahepatic tumor progression appeared in 23 of 35 patients (65.7%). One major complication (2.1%, one of 48 sessions) and eight minor complications (16.7%, eight of 48 sessions) were reported. The major complication was hepatic abscess formation. The overall survival rates for all patients at 1, 2, and 3 years were 76%, 68%, and 45%, respectively. For patients with metastases from colorectal cancer (n = 14), the overall survival rates were 72%, 60%, and 60% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively; and for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 8), the overall survival rates were 72%, 58%, and 44% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Percutaneous RF ablation offers a safe and effective treatment option for recurrent hepatic tumors after previous partial hepatectomy.
Schindera
Sebastian T
ST
Departments of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3808, Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Nelson
Rendon C
RC
DeLong
David M
DM
Clary
Bryan
B
D017115:Catheter Ablation; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome