BACKGROUND: Limited data from recent studies suggested an increased risk of bleeding complications, needle-track seeding, and local recurrence after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of subcapsular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Between May 2001 and October 2002, 80 patients underwent RFA of 104 HCC nodules. Forty-eight patients had subcapsular HCC (group I), whereas the other 32 patients did not have subcapsular HCC (group II). RFA was performed via celiotomy, laparoscopy, or a percutaneous approach. Subcapsular HCCs were ablated by indirect puncture through nontumorous liver, and the needle track was thermocoagulated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups in treatment morbidity (14.6% vs. 15.6%; P =.898), mortality (2.1% vs. 0%; P = 1.000), complete ablation rate after a single session (89.4% vs. 96.9%; P =.392), local recurrence rate (4.3% vs. 12.5%; P =.216), recurrence-free survival (1 year: 60.9% vs. 49.2%; P =.258), or overall survival (1 year: 88.3% vs. 79.4%; P =.441). After a median follow-up of 13 months, no needle-track seeding or intraperitoneal metastasis was observed. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the results of RFA for subcapsular HCCs are comparable to those of RFA for nonsubcapsular HCCs. Subcapsular HCC should not be considered a contraindication for RFA treatment.
BACKGROUND: Limited data from recent studies suggested an increased risk of bleeding complications, needle-track seeding, and local recurrence after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of subcapsular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Between May 2001 and October 2002, 80 patients underwent RFA of 104 HCC nodules. Forty-eight patients had subcapsular HCC (group I), whereas the other 32 patients did not have subcapsular HCC (group II). RFA was performed via celiotomy, laparoscopy, or a percutaneous approach. Subcapsular HCCs were ablated by indirect puncture through nontumorous liver, and the needle track was thermocoagulated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups in treatment morbidity (14.6% vs. 15.6%; P =.898), mortality (2.1% vs. 0%; P = 1.000), complete ablation rate after a single session (89.4% vs. 96.9%; P =.392), local recurrence rate (4.3% vs. 12.5%; P =.216), recurrence-free survival (1 year: 60.9% vs. 49.2%; P =.258), or overall survival (1 year: 88.3% vs. 79.4%; P =.441). After a median follow-up of 13 months, no needle-track seeding or intraperitoneal metastasis was observed. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the results of RFA for subcapsular HCCs are comparable to those of RFA for nonsubcapsular HCCs. Subcapsular HCC should not be considered a contraindication for RFA treatment.
Authors: Tan To Cheung; Kelvin K Ng; Kenneth S Chok; See Ching Chan; Ronnie T Poon; Chung Mau Lo; Sheung Tat Fan Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2010-06-28 Impact factor: 5.742
Authors: Tan To Cheung; Sheung Tat Fan; Ferdinand S K Chu; Caroline R Jenkins; Kenneth S H Chok; Simon H Y Tsang; Wing Chiu Dai; Albert C Y Chan; See Ching Chan; Thomas C C Yau; Ronnie T P Poon; Chung Mau Lo Journal: HPB (Oxford) Date: 2012-12-04 Impact factor: 3.647