Laparoscopic and Percutaneous Ultrasound Guided Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma : a Preliminary Study

Korean J Hepatol > Volume 8(2); 2002 > Article

The Korean Journal of Hepatology 2002;8(2): 209-217.

원저 : 간세포암종의 복강경 및 경피적 초음파 유도하 고주파 열치료 : 예비 결과 보고 ( Original Articles : Laparoscopic and Percutaneous Ultrasound Guided Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma : a Preliminary Study )

Laparoscopic and Percutaneous Ultrasound Guided Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma : a Preliminary Study

Min Kyu Jung, M.D., Jong Hyup Lee, M.D., Tae Seok Kim, M.D., Hyun Soo Kim, M.D., Chang Min Cho, M.D., Won Young Tak, M.D., Young Oh Kweon, M.D., Sung Kook Kim, M.D., Yong Hwan Choi, M.D., Joon Mo Chung, M.D.

Department of Internal Medicine, Liver Research Institute, Kyungpook National University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea

ABSTRACT

Background/Aims
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is emerging as a new therapeutic method in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We report the results of 64 patients with a follow-up interval of 3 to 19 months. Method: Sixty-four patients with 82 nodules underwent ultrasound guided RFA. The mean tumor diameter was 2.5±1.0 cm. Laparoscopic ultrasound guided RFA was performed in 38 cases, and percutaneous ultrasound guided RFA in 26 cases. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by means of three-phase dynamic abdominal computed tomography (CT) performed within at least one week after ablating. The recurrence was evaluated after treatment by means of abdominal CT and alpha fetoprotein every 3 months. We calculated cumulative recurrence rates, survival rates of patients, and found out complication of RFA. Results: Cumulative recurrence rates in 3, 6, 12 months after RFA was 8.8%, 15.8%, 25.9%. 12 cases were recurred during follow-up. Among them, intrahepatic recurrences were noted in 11 cases, local recurrences in 3 cases. Cumulative survival curves indicated that survival rate was 95% at the third month, 94% at the sixth month, 81% at the twelfth month. After RFA, the alpha fetoprotein level was decreased significantly after 1 month (p<0.05), and serum transaminase levels were transiently elevated (p<0.01) but returned to normal within one week. Complications of RFA were not serious, and resolved spontaneously. Conclusion: RFA can be considered a useful new treatment for HCC. Laparoscopic RFA is a useful procedure for the treatment of HCC regardless of its location.(Korean J Hepatol 2002;8:209-217)

KeyWords: Radiofrequency ablation, Hepatocellular carcinoma