Pilot study of combination therapy with transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy using iodized oil and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation during occlusion of hepatic blood flow for hepatocellular carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
We have reported that radiofrequency (RF) ablation with balloon occlusion of the hepatic artery (balloon-occluded RF ablation) increases the coagulation area compared with standard RF ablation. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of combination therapy with transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy (TAI) using iodized oil and balloon-occluded RF ablation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.


METHODS
We studied 12 patients with 12 HCC nodules (mean tumor diameter, 27.3 mm). All patients were classified as Child-Pugh Class A. Immediately after TAI using iodized oil, we performed balloon-occluded RF ablation.


RESULTS
One treatment session of the combination therapy was done for 10 of 12 nodules (83%). The greatest long-axis and short-axis dimensions of the area coagulated after the combination therapy were 48.8+/- 5.5 mm and 41.9 +/- 4.1 mm, respectively. During follow-up (mean, 33.4 months), there was no local recurrence. The 1, 2, and 3-year survival rates were 100%, 92%, and 83%, respectively. No fatal complications were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination therapy is an effective and safe treatment under favorable liver reserve capacity. Using the combination therapy, it is possible to finish one treatment session for patients with HCC nodules measuring less than 3 cm in greatest dimension.
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi, Japan.
Ryu
R
Shiraishi
Takahiro
T
Yamasaki
Issei
I
Saeki
Kohsuke
K
Okita
Yuhki
Y
Yamaguchi
Koichi
K
Uchida
Shuji
S
Terai
Isao
I
Sakaida
D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D021721:Balloon Occlusion; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D007459:Iodized Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015251:Epirubicin; D016685:Mitomycin; D007459:Iodized Oil