Microwave Ablation in Intermediate Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhosis: An Italian Multicenter Prospective Study.

Background and Aims: To report long-term results in treatment of intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotics using new high-powered microwaves (MWS) ablation alone.
Methods: This multicenter study included 215 cirrhotics (age range: 67-84 years; 137 males; 149 Child A, 66 Child B) who underwent percutaneous ultrasound-guided high-powered MWS ablation instead of transarterial chemoembolization. Among the patient population, 109 had a single nodule (Ø 5.3-8 cm) [group A], 70 had 2 nodules (Ø 3-6 cm) [group B] and 36 had 3-5 nodules (Ø 1.5-6.8 cm) [group C]. MWS ablation efficacy was evaluated using enhanced-computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging. Primary end-point was 5-year cumulative overall survival (OS).
Results: On enhanced-computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging, complete ablation rates were 100% for 1.5-3.5 cm nodules. In nodules >3.5-5 cm, it was 89% for the first ablation and 100% for the second. For lesions >5-8 cm, ablation was up to 92%. Overall, 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 89, 60, and 21%, respectively. The cumulative OS rate of group A was 89%, 66% and 34% at 1, 3 and 5 years. The cumulative OS rate of group B was 88%, 60% and 11% at 1, 3 and 5 years. The cumulative OS rate of group C was 86%, 55% and 0%. The 5-year survival rate was significantly different among the groups (p <0.001). One patient died from rupture of HCC. Upon multivariate analysis, preablation total bilirubin >1.5 mg/dL was an independent factor for predicting lower survival. Conclusions: Percutaneous MWS ablation of intermediate HCC is safe and effective in inducing large volume of necrosis in intermediate HCC nodules, providing long-term survival rates similar to transarterial chemoembolization. Preablation total bilirubin >1.5 mg/dL as expression of liver function reserve is the main factor predicting a worse outcome.

Introduction

Liver cancer is the second most frequent cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and the sixth most frequent cancer. Moreover, it has been estimated that both hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence and mortality are increasing worldwide.1,2 The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) is one of the most widely adopted staging systems, and considers the characteristics of the neoplasm, underlying liver disease and performance status.3 In the BCLC algorithm, the tumor is classified as early, intermediate and advanced. Intermediate-stage is defined as extensive multifocal disease without vascular invasion in patients with preserved liver function and absence of cancer-related symptoms.3 The standard treatment of intermediate stage of HCC is based on transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). No other treatment options are considered in this algorithm.3

In the last years, percutaneous ablation techniques have gained great popularity in treatment of very-early and early HCC, for which they are considered first-line therapy.4–6 Since the introduction of percutaneous ethanol injection in 1986,7 new and effective thermal ablation modalities have been introduced, such as radiofrequency (RF) and microwaves (MWS). Compared to RF, MWS ablation has emerged as a promising technique for larger ablation areas and faster ablation rates.8

MWS ablation induces coagulative necrosis through the application of electromagnetic waves through the antenna (i.e. microwave probe). Dielectric hysteresis resulting in kinetic energy is the mechanism by which tissue (water molecules) is heated.9 MWS ablation offers several advantages over other forms of thermal ablation,10 such as high thermal efficiency resulting in larger ablation volumes, a higher capability of coagulating blood vessels and a faster ablation time. Another important advantage of MWS over RF ablation is a less severe heat sink effect,10 that is one of the main limitations of RF.8 Due to such advantages over RF ablation, larger volumes of necrosis can be induced by MWS and, as a consequence, larger HCC nodules can be ablated. Introduction of new devices and new MWS generators to the market has allowed for the development and application of high-powered antennas (at 2450 MHz) and new more powerful generators (operating up to 200 W), leading to very large volume of necrosis and increasing the sphericity of the necrosis area.8,11

In fact, using this new technique, an over 80% complete ablation rate has been reported in HCC nodules up to 8 cm in diameter.11

The aim of our multicenter, prospective study was to report long-term results in treatment of intermediate HCC in cirrhotic patients using new high-powered MWS alone for percutaneous ablation under ultrasound (US) guidance. The primary end-point was to evaluate cumulative overall 5-year survival (OS), and the secondary end-points were the rates of radiological necrosis,12 disease-free survival (DFS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

Methods

The following hospitals from Southern Italy participated in the study: Tortorella Clinical Hospital, Salerno; Ruesch Clinical Institute, Naples; Ostuni Hospital, Ostuni; Gragnano Hospital, Gragnano; S. Rita Medical- Surgical Hospital, Atripalda; Athena Clinical Institute, Piedimonte.

From May 2011 to April 2016, 277 cirrhotic patients with intermediate HCC were consecutively seen in our Institutions and were prospectively included into the study. All patients had clinical, biochemical and imaging findings of cirrhosis. For all patients, evidence of HCC nodules was seen for the first time on US abdominal examination mainly, and no patient was ever treated before. Prior to enrollment, all patients underwent routine blood tests, including alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) measurement,13 US abdominal examination, contrast-enhanced (CE)US using Sonovue (Bracco Imaging Italia, Milano, Italy) and enhanced computed tomography (eCT) and/or enhanced magnetic resonance (eMRI).

Stage of intermediate HCC was assessed with eCT and/or eMRI in all cases. All 277 cirrhotics were asked to undergo percutaneous US-guided MWS ablation alone, instead of TACE for treatment of their HCC nodules. In the six institutions, all 277 patients were informed that TACE was still considered the standard-of-care for treatment of their intermediate HCC; at the same time, characteristics of percutaneous ablation using MWS were clearly explained to all 277 consecutive patients. Following receipt of this information, 62 patients did not accept participation in the study, while 215 patients (age range: 67–84 years, mean: 73 years) accepted participation and underwent MWS ablation alone instead of TACE (forming the study group). The majority of patients had HCV-related cirrhosis, which is prevalent in our geographic area.14 Table 1 reports the clinical and laboratory characteristics of our series.

Table 1.

Characteristics of our series

Characteristic	Value
Age in years	73±5
Male sex	137 (63.7%)
Hepatitis C virus	157 (73.0%)
Hepatitis B virus	58 (27.0)
Child A	149 (69.3)
Child B	66 (30.7)
Diameter of nodules in cm	5.9±0.7
Number of nodules	2.3±0.7
Total bilirubin in mg/dL	1.6±0.4
Prothrombin time as %	67±0.149
Platelet count in mm3	81000±8350
AFP in ng/dL	0.49±114
Albumin in g/dL	2.9±1.2

Data presented as n (%) or mean ± SD.

Diagnosis of HCC was made according to the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases practice guidelines15 and staging of intermediate HCC was based on the BCLC algorithm.3 Inclusion criteria were as follows: a) not eligible for surgery (resection or liver transplantation) or refusal of surgery; b) single nodule >5 cm and no larger than 8 cm; c) two or more nodules (up to 5) with at least one >5 cm and no larger than 7 cm; d) platelet count >50,000 mm3; e) prothrombin time (PT) not less than 50%; and f) total bilirubin <= 2.5 mg/dL. Exclusion criteria were as follows: a) ascites; b) thrombosis of the portal venous system; and c) extrahepatic spread of the disease.

Among the study population, 109 patients had a single nodule (Ø 5.3–8 cm, mean: 6.4 cm) [group A], 70 had 2 nodules (Ø 3–6 cm, mean: 5.8 cm) [group B] and 36 had 3–5 nodules (Ø 1.5–6.8 cm, mean: 6.1 cm) [group C]. Table 2 reports the numbers and diameters of the nodules of the three groups.

Table 2.

Number of patients, number and diameter of nodules

Group	Patients	Nodules	Nodules diameter in cm
A	109	1	6.4 (5.3–8.0)
B	70	2	5.8 (3.0–6.0)
C	36	3–5	6.1 (1.5–6.8)

Data are presented as n or median (range).

Percutaneous ablation was performed under US guidance using a high-powered MWS device (Acculis MTA System, Microsulis Medical Ltd, Hampshire, UK) with a single antenna (at 2450 MHz) connected with a powerful generator (working from 60 W to 140 W). The applicator comprised a 1.8-mm diameter stainless steel shaft tipped with a ceramic trocar array. The applicator was cooled with sterile saline and contained a thermocouple to monitor shaft temperature during use.

In all cases, only one antenna was used per session for ablation. For nodules 1.5–3 cm, only one US-guided percutaneous insertion was performed. For 3–5 cm nodules, one to two insertions were performed in the same session. For nodules >5 cm, up to 3 insertions were performed in the same session. When more than one insertion was performed, the antenna was withdrawn from the liver and reinserted percutaneously in a different untreated portion of the nodule. The approach was the same for nodules located in the dome or capsular location. In subcapsular located lesions, the antenna was inserted through at least 1 cm of liver parenchyma between the liver surface and the margin of the nodule, when possible. If this was not possible, superficially located lesions were directly punctured.

In all cases, CEUS was carried out with Sonovue® (2.4 mL) as follows: a) before ablation (to evaluate the entire hypervascular pattern of HCC nodules); b) during ablation (to detect any hypovascular area induced by ablation and the remnant arterial enhanced tissue still to-be treated); c) at the end of procedure. Ablation procedures were performed under unconscious sedation, with fentanyl as induction and Propofol as maintenance, as reported elsewhere.16

The ablation sessions were scheduled as follows: 1–2 sessions in group A patients; 2–3 sessions in group B patients; and up to 4 sessions in group C patients. In all cases, at the beginning of the ablation procedure, the power of the MWS generator was set at 100 W, and during the procedure it was increased up to 120–140 W, according to the homogeneous (or non-) distribution of hyperechogenicity within the nodule. During the procedure, when multiple insertions were performed in the same session, the hyperechoic artifact was handled by using CEUS to distinguish hypervascular (untreated) zones by hypovascular (necrotic) areas induced by ablation. CEUS was also used to visualize the distal margin of the nodule to verify that it also appeared necrotic (i.e. hypoechoic on CEUS imaging). In this manner, CEUS was also used to verify if the attempt to obtain an ablated margin was successful.

Track ablation was used in all patients at the end of procedures when antenna was withdrawn from the nodule (i.e. the generator was set at 100 W for 1 minute and then the antenna was withdrawn). The day after the MWS ablation, all patients underwent clinical, biochemical and abdominal US examinations and they were discharged if no complication was noted. Patients were followed-up every 2 months with laboratory tests, including AFP and abdominal US examination. Efficacy of MWS ablation was evaluated using CEUS, eCT and/or eMRI at 1 month after the end of the scheduled protocols.12 According to the Modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) evaluation system, in all treated nodules, complete radiological ablation of nodule/s was defined as absence of arterial enhancement covering the entire area of the tumor.17 The volume of the entire hypovascular ablated area was also noted to verify increased volume with respect to prior ablation volume.

Discrimination between reactive hyperemia and residual peripheral active tumor was assessed on eCT and/or eMRI in the late and equilibrium phases (hyperemia did not present with wash-out, unlike the active residual tumor margin). Complete radiological necrosis was defined as absence of arterial enhanced tissue on CEUS, eCT and /or MRI in any area of the treated nodule at 1 month after the end of the scheduled protocols, i.e. after 1–2 sessions in group A patients, 2–3 sessions in group B patients and up to 4 sessions in group C patients (see later Results section). Incomplete necrosis was defined as presence of arterial enhanced tissue within the treated nodule. In case of incomplete ablation, repeated MWS ablation procedures were performed to achieve complete radiological necrosis of the nodule/s. In these cases, when the 1 month efficacy evaluation showed incomplete radiological necrosis, a new ablation procedure was immediately performed. In patients who underwent more than one session, all previously treated nodules were reevaluated with CEUS during the procedure and lesions that presented with incomplete necrosis on CEUS were retreated using MWS.

The ethical committee of Ostuni Hospital approved the study on behalf of all the other institutions and all patients gave their informed written consent.

Statistical analysis

Values were expressed as mean +/- SD or median. Cumulative OS was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and statistical comparison of survival distribution was analyzed by the log-rank test. Eleven possible factors affecting survival were analyzed (i.e. age, sex, Child’s class of cirrhosis, total bilirubin level, albumin, PT, platelet count, AFP, number of nodules, diameter of nodules and number of antenna insertions). Associations with a p-value ≤0.1 upon univariate analysis were entered into a Cox’s stepwise multivariate regression analysis. A p-value <0.05 in a two-tailed test was considered statistically significant. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 15.0 statistical software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).

Results

Radiological necrosis rates and survival

All patients but one (see below) were treated according to the scheduled protocol. A total of 792 sessions were performed; the number of insertions ranged from 1 to 2 (mean: 1.7) in group A patients, from 2 to 3 (mean: 2.4) in group B patients and from 3 to 4 (mean: 3.7) in group C patients. The total number of antenna insertions was 1847. The hospital stay ranged from 1 to 3 days (mean: 1.7 days). After the MWS ablation procedures, according to eCT and /or eMRI findings, the complete ablation rates were 100% for 1.5–3.5 cm nodules. For >3.5–5 cm lesions, a complete radiological ablation was observed in 89% of cases after the first scheduled ablation session and 100% after the second scheduled ablation session. In lesions >5- 8 cm, complete radiological ablation was observed in 74% of cases after the first ablation session and in 92% of cases after the last scheduled ablation session. The follow-up ranged from 7 to 67 months (median: 37 months).

The 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- and 5- year cumulative OS rates were 89%, 81%, 60%, 40% and 21%, respectively. The cumulative OS rates for group A were 89%, 66% and 34% at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively, for group B were 88%, 60% and 11% at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively and for group C were 86%, 55% and 0%, respectively. The 5-year survival was significantly different among the three groups (p <0.001) (Fig. 1). DFS rates were 90%, 65% and 36% for group A, 85%, 64% and 15% for group B, and 82%, 44% and 0% for group C at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference regarding 5-year DFS among the three groups (p <0.001) and regarding 3-year DFS between groups A and B versus group C (p <0.001) (Fig. 2).

Fig. 1.

Overall cumulative 5-years survival of the three groups of our series.

Fig. 2.

Survival rates.

5-year disease-free survival (A) and 5-year progression-free survival (B) of the three groups of our series.

The 1-, 3- and 5-year PFS rates were 90%, 83% and 82% for group A, 64%, 62% and 50% for group B and 40%, 21% and 17% for group C, respectively, with a statistical significant difference between the three groups (p <0.001) (Fig. 2). Local recurrences were observed in 29.2% of cases and distant recurrences in 16.6%, and both were treated using MWS ablation. Extrahepatic spread occurred in 3.6% of cases.

Upon univariate analysis, the number of nodules, diameter of nodules, AFP and preablation total bilirubin >1.5 mg/dL were independent factors affecting survival. Upon multivariate analysis, only preablation total bilirubin >1.5 mg/dL was the independent factor predicting survival (Table 3).

Table 3.

Univariate and multivariate analyses of prognostic factors for cumulative overall survival

Significant variable	Univariate analysis		Multivariate analysis
	OR (95%CI)	p	OR (95%CI)	p
Age in years: <65 vs. >65	1.127 (0.742–1.739)	0.847
Male sex: yes/no	0.963 (0.527–1.785)	0.985
Child–Pugh class: A vs. B	0.997 (0.843–2.781)	0.952
PT value as %: ≤60% vs. >60%	0.989 (0.754–1.341)	0.987
Platelet count: <60.000/L vs. >60.000/L	1.058 (0.555–2.069)	0.847
Total bilirubin in mg/dL: ≤1.5 vs. >1.5	3.016 (1.629–5.589)	0.003	1.546 (1.872–2.686)	0.021
Albumin in g/L: <3 vs. >3	0.989 (0.754–1.311)	0.986
AFP in μg/L: <20 vs. >20	1.157 (0.755–1.736)	0.03
Number of nodules: 1 vs. >1	1.39 (0.793–1.732)	0.031
Diameter of nodules in cm: <5 vs. >5	1.164 (0.754–1.763)	0.04
Number of needle insertions: 1 vs. >1	2.874 (1.891–4.457)	0.018

Abbreviations: AFP, alpha-fetoprotein; CI, confidence interval; OR, odds ratio; PT prothrombin time.

Complications

One Child A patient (female, age 80 years) with a single 6-cm HCC nodule located in the VI segment (2 antenna insertions in a single session) died from rupture of the HCC nodule with hemoperitoneum and shock 20 hours after the MWS ablation. Only nine patients presented with mild or moderate ascites 2–7 days after MWS ablation, which disappeared with diuretics therapy within 4–9 days. Abdominal pain was observed soon after procedure in 29 (10.5%) patients, treated with analgesic drugs (diclofenac or tramadol), and 32 (11.5%) patients presented with mild to moderate fever, treated with paracetamol. No other major or minor complications were observed. Except for the patient who died, no other patient required blood transfusion. No hemothorax or pneumothorax was observed. During the follow-up, no case of seeding was observed.

Discussion

In our study, percutaneous high-powered MWS ablation alone was demonstrated to be able to induce up to 89% radiologic necrosis after the first and 100% after the second ablation session in 3–5 cm HCC lesions, while the rate of radiological necrosis was observed in up to 92% of cases in 5–8 cm HCC nodules at the end of the scheduled sessions. Moreover, cumulative OS rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 89%, 60% and 21%, respectively. Furthermore, cumulative 5-year survival was significantly reduced in group C patients and DFS of this group had decreased already at 3 years with respect to patients in both groups A and B, indicating that the number of nodules may have a major role in affecting DFS. Similar results were observed analyzing the curves of PFS, with 3-year PFS being statistically lower in the group C patients with respect to the other groups. Again, such rates of PFS suggest that the diameter of the nodules is important in predicting the outcome of patients with large nodules. The univariate analysis showed that the diameter of the nodules was an independent factor affecting survival, together with the number of nodules, AFP and pre-ablation total bilirubin. Finally, upon multivariate analysis, only preprocedure total bilirubin >1.5 mg/dL was the main predictor of survival. These results clearly indicate that, at the end, the residual function hepatic reserve is the main factor to predict success prior to performing MWS ablation in such patients.

Our results are in keeping with the recent literature data. Medhat et al.18 showed that complete ablation was achieved in 19/26 (73.1%) of patients with 5-cm to 7-cm HCC lesions. Zhang and coworkers11 treated 45 patients with 60 HCC lesions, and obtained 82.61% necrosis at first ablation in 3–5 cm lesions and 100% at second ablation. Moreover, in 5-cm to 8-cm HCC lesions they obtained complete ablation in 64.29% at first ablation and 85.71% at second ablation.18 Both studies concluded that microwave ablation by the percutaneous approach is safe and effective in the treatment of large HCC tumors.11,18

Up to now, many treatment options are available in the scientific scenario for management of HCC in cirrhosis. If surgery (resection and transplantation) and ablation are considered curative treatments for HCC in the stage A of the BCLC algorithm as well as TACE in the stage B,3,15 other options are now available in treatment of HCC. These options include oral sorafenib19 and Y90.20 Up to now, sorafenib has been recommended only in the advanced stage (BCLC stage C),3 while results of Y90 still need to be validated and, anyway, all the presented studies have been performed in very-advanced disease cases. Surgery is recommended for treatment of intermediate HCC only in the Hong Kong Score System21 and not in the American Association for Study of Liver Diseases and European Association for the Study of the Liver practice guidelines that continue to consider only TACE for treatment of intermediate HCC.3,15 But, very recent data do not support these Western recommendations.22–24 Evaluating the role of surgery to be expanded beyond the BCLC algorithm,22 these recent data demonstrated that surgical resection had better OS than TACE for patients with intermediate stage HCC, without any significant increase in postoperative complication or 30-day mortality rates.22–24

Anyway, given the current Western recommendations and considering that patients included in our study were not candidates for surgery, in our opinion the best comparison should be made between ablation and TACE. In our study, the 5-year cumulative OS rates are similar if not better to long-term results regarding cumulative survivals for intermediate HCC using TACE alone or combined with other modalities.24–26 In fact, recent studies have reported 38%, 15% and 12% OS at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively, with TACE alone23 and 94%, 52% and 26.1% at 1, 3 and 5 years when combined with radiofrequency ablation.25 Many intraarterial therapies are available for treatment of HCC, such as chemoembolization, bland embolization or drug-eluting beads-TACE. But, up to now, all these procedures have showed similar efficacy.26–29

Obviously, our statement that MWS ablation and TACE have similar efficacy in treatment of intermediate HCC deserves caution because our study was not carried out in a randomized controlled manner. Nevertheless, in our opinion, some considerations can be made. Firstly, many criticisms have been raised about the possibility that a single technique can be valid in all different circumstances since the definition of intermediate HCC in the BCLC algorithm refers to a large variety of number and diameter of neoplastic nodules, and TACE is the only technique that is considered as the gold-standard for treatment. Recently, Bolondi and co-workers,30 using a new subclassification of intermediate HCC (B1 to B4 stages), proposed ablation in addition to TACE in the B1stage. Although in our study we did not use Bolondi’s subclassification, our results go exactly in this direction. Secondly, Farinati et al.,31 on the basis of the Italian Liver Cancer (known as ITA.LI.CA) cohort of 3027 HCC cases that was recruited from 1986 to 2008 by the ITA.LI.CA group, concluded that in clinical practice, TACE cannot be considered the best approach for BCLC stage B patients who represent a heterogeneous population and are often suitable for more aggressive therapies, which lead to a better survival. After evaluating 485 consecutive BCLC-B patients from the ITA.LI.CA database retrospectively, it was concluded that in “everyday practice TACE represents the first-line therapy in a half of patients with naïve BCLC-B HCC since treatment choice is driven not only by liver function and nodule characteristics, but also by contraindications to procedures, comorbidities, age and patient opinion”.32,33 Therefore the conclusion of Shiand and Zhai34 seems reasonable. In their recent review on advance in Image-Guided Locoregional Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma, they stated that “combination treatment modalities, such as thermal-based ablation combined with TACE or 125I seed implant brachytherapy, may further broaden their clinical indications for HCC”.34

Our study has some limitations. The main limitation is the absence of a controlled group of patients treated with TACE. Therefore, a randomized controlled trial evaluating the outcome of intermediate HCC patients treated with MWS ablation versus TACE is needed. But, researchers should be aware that strict criteria comparing the two groups should be adopted in the selection of patients, considering that the definition of intermediate HCC in the BCLC algorithm refers to a large variety of the number and diameter of neoplastic nodules. The same is for the absence of a comparison with surgical resection, especially for large, single nodules in selected patients. But, as said before, our patients were not candidates for surgery. A second limitation is the use of a single-applicator in our MWS ablation procedures. We are well aware that multiple applicators can create larger ablation zones. But, in our routine work in interventional ultrasound, the long-time experience of the operators involved in the study makes the difference. In fact, using high-powered MWS under US guidance, in few instants, can also induce large nodules to become rapidly hyperechoic just like when ethanol injection was used in treating large HCC nodules with the so-called one-shot technique.16,35 On the other hand, as far as complications are concerned, in our experience only one bleeding event occurred with 1847 punctures. It is conceivable that when using multiple applicators, the risk of bleeding would be doubled or tripled.

In conclusion, in our experience, percutaneous US-guided MWS ablation alone for treatment of intermediate HCC in cirrhosis was safe and effective in inducing large-volume necrosis in HCC nodules and it can obtain appreciable cumulative 5-year survival.