Ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation to treat hepatocellular carcinoma in the caudate lobe

Abstract

Objective To study the feasibility, efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the caudate lobe. Methods From November 2006 to June 2017, 31 patients with 31 HCCs located in the caudate lobe were treated with percutaneous RFA at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. The treatment efficacy, complications, and the local tumor progression (LTP), disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were analyzed. Results Residual tumors were detected in 5 patients after the first treatment. Complete necrosis was achieved in all the patients after the second treatment. The mean number of ablation sessions was 1.16±0.37. At a follow-up period which ranged from 3 to 65 months, 19 patients had died, 10 patients were still alive, and 2 patients were lost to follow-up. The 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-years OS rates were 78.4%, 48.5%, 12.1% and 12.1%, respectively. On follow-up, 9 caudate lobe HCC lesions were detected to have LTP. The 1-, 2-, and 3-years LTP rates were 21.5%, 41.6% and 41.6%, respectively; while the 1-, 2-, and 3-years DFS rates were 22.3%, 11.2% and 11.2%, respectively. Ablation-related complications were detected in 4 patients. Conclusions Ultrasound-guided percutaneous RFA was safe and effective for patients with HCC in the caudate lobe. These patients should be followed-up closely to detect LTP. Key words: Hepatocellular carcinoma; Caudate lobe of liver; Radiofrequency ablation