Radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic liver tumors: a comparative study.
BACKGROUND
This study compared the effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver metastases.


METHODS
We compared the outcomes of 240 patients with HCC and 44 patients with liver metastases treated with RFA. Data were prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed. Effects of different variables on recurrences were studied.


RESULTS
A total of 406 tumor nodules were treated. The median size of the largest ablated tumor was 2.5 cm, and the median tumor number was 1. Complete tumor ablation was achieved in 91.2%. Local recurrence rate was 15.4% after a median follow-up of 24.5 months. There was no significant impact of tumor pathology on local recurrence. However, patients with liver metastasis had higher extrahepatic recurrence rate (P = 0.019) and shorter disease-free survival (P = 0.007). Patients with multiple tumors had higher local (P = 0.047) and extrahepatic (P = 0.019) recurrence rates than those with a solitary tumor. Tumor size had an impact on local recurrence rate only in patients with liver metastasis with a higher rate in those with tumor > 2.5 cm in diameter (P = 0.028).


CONCLUSIONS
Tumor pathology does not appear to have a significant impact on local recurrence rates. RFA is effective in local tumor control for both HCC and liver metastasis.
Chow
Danny H F
DH
Department of Surgery, Centre for the Study of Liver Disease, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
Sinn
Lorraine H Y
LH
Ng
Kelvin K
KK
Lam
Chi Ming
CM
Yuen
Jimmy
J
Fan
Sheung Tat
ST
Poon
Ronnie T P
RT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome