title: Histopathology of the tissue adhering to the multiple tine expandable electrodes used for radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma predicts local recurrence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the ability to predict the local recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma by analyzing tissues adhering to the radiofrequency ablation probe after complete ablation.
  
  
  METHODS
  From May 2002 to March 2011, tissue specimens adhering to the radiofrequency ablation probe from 284 radiofrequency ablation sessions performed for hepatocellular carcinomas ≤3 cm in size were analyzed. The specimens were classified as either viable tumor tissue or complete necrosis, and the local recurrence rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From the tumors ≤3 cm in size, viable tissue was present in 6 (2.1%) of 284 specimens, and the local recurrence rates after 1 and 2 years of follow-up were 6.7% and 11.2%, respectively. Local recurrence developed significantly earlier in the viable tissue group. The recurrence rate was not significantly different based on whether transcatheter arterial chemoembolization was performed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The histopathology of the tissue adhering to the radiofrequency ablation probes used for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment can predict local recurrence. Additional aggressive treatment for patients with viable tissue can therefore improve the overall survival.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Saiseikai Niigata Daini Hospital, Japan. toruishi@ngt.saiseikai.or.jp
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishikawa
authors.forename: Tomoyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kubota
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: Aiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nagashima
authors.forename: Kanae
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hirose
authors.forename: Tadayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Togashi
authors.forename: Keiichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Seki
authors.forename: Terasu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Honma
authors.forename: Toshiaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Tomoteru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kamimura
authors.forename: Takeo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nemoto
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takeda
authors.forename: Noriko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ishihara
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; D004566:Electrodes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome