title: Stereotactic radiofrequency ablation of unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas: a retrospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate treatment effects, complications, and outcome of percutaneous stereotactic radiofrequency ablation (SRFA) of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven consecutive patients (nine men and two women) with a total of 36 inoperable ICCs (18 initial lesions, 16 lesions newly detected during follow-up, and two local recurrences) underwent SRFA between December 2004 and June 2010. Two different radiofrequency ablation (RFA) devices with internally cooled electrodes were used. Tumor diameters ranged from 0.5 to 10 cm (median 3.0 cm). A total of 23 SRFA sessions were performed. The efficacy of SRFA was evaluated by contrast-enhanced computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging 1 month after treatment and then every 3 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Primary technical effectiveness rate was 92%. Further follow-up every 3 months revealed three local recurrences (8%), two of which were successfully retreated, resulting in a secondary technical effectiveness rate of 98%. After a total of 23 RFA sessions, three major complications occurred (13%) that could be managed interventionally. Mean follow-up time was 35 months (range 12-81 months). One- and 3-year overall survival rates were 91 and 71%, respectively. The median overall survival was 60 months (according to the life table method). Eight (73%) of 11 patients were still alive at the end of follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SRFA is effective in the treatment of unresectable ICC even if the tumor is large and located close to major vessels. SRFA shows a survival benefit compared to other palliative treatment options and may also be considered as the first-line local treatment of ICCs in selected patients.
authors: Department of Microinvasive Therapy, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria. marion.haidu@i-med.ac.at
authors: Marion
authors: M
authors: Haidu
authors: Georg
authors: G
authors: Dobrozemsky
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Schullian
authors: Gerlig
authors: G
authors: Widmann
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Klaus
authors: Helmut
authors: H
authors: Weiss
authors: Raimund
authors: R
authors: Margreiter
authors: Reto
authors: R
authors: Bale
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome