title: Microwave ablation in treating intrahepatic recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation: An analysis of 11 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of microwave ablation (MWA) in the treatment of intrahepatic recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after liver transplantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between October 2008 and August 2014, a total of 11 cases with 19 lesions were enrolled. All the subjects had confirmed HCC recurrence after liver transplantation by at least two types of enhanced imaging. Real-time monitoring and small ethanol doses were used as an additional technique to assist with ablation. Contrast imaging was performed to evaluate the technique efficacy. The technique efficacy rate, local tumour progression rate, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months survival rates, and the incidence of complications were comprehensively analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The follow-up period ranged from 5-33 months. All tumours achieved full ablation. The first MWA technique efficacy rate was 84.2% (16/19), while the second technique efficacy rate was 100%. Local tumour progression was identified in three cases (15.8%) at 1, 3 and 7 months after MWA. The 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months accumulative survival rates were 90.9%, 81.8%, 71.6%, 51.5%, 30.7% and 15.3%, respectively, the average survival time was 17.3 months (3.5-33 months). Mild side effects included five patients (45.4%) with fevers, three with (27.3%) nausea and vomiting, five (45.4%) with local pain, and eight (72.7%) with increased blood transaminase levels; no serious complications occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MWA treatment is a promising technique for intrahepatic recurrence after liver transplantation without serious complications or side effects.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Interventional Ultrasound , Chinese PLA General Hospital , Beijing , China.
authors.forename: Hongyan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhai
authors.affiliation: a Department of Interventional Ultrasound , Chinese PLA General Hospital , Beijing , China.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: a Department of Interventional Ultrasound , Chinese PLA General Hospital , Beijing , China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Ling
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: a Department of Interventional Ultrasound , Chinese PLA General Hospital , Beijing , China.
authors.forename: Zhigang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: a Department of Interventional Ultrasound , Chinese PLA General Hospital , Beijing , China.
authors.forename: Zhi-Yu
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: a Department of Interventional Ultrasound , Chinese PLA General Hospital , Beijing , China.
authors.forename: Fangyi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: a Department of Interventional Ultrasound , Chinese PLA General Hospital , Beijing , China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D055011:Ablation Techniques; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000601:surgery*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D000431:Ethanol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol
keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma; intrahepatic recurrence; liver transplantation; microwave ablation