Conformal radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma with a multi-pin bipolar system

• Published in: Journal of surgical oncology 2011-01, Vol.103 (1), p.69-74
• Main Authors: Peng, Zhen-Wei, Liang, Hui-Hong, Chen, Min-Shan, Zhang, Yao-Jun, Zhang, Ya-Qi, Lau, Wan Y.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - diagnostic imaging; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - mortality; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - surgery; Catheter Ablation - instrumentation; Catheter Ablation - methods; conformal radiofrequency ablation; Electrodes; Female; Follow-Up Studies; hepatocellular carcinoma; Humans; Liver Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Liver Neoplasms - mortality; Liver Neoplasms - surgery; Male; Middle Aged; multi-pin bipolar system; Survival Analysis; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography, Interventional
• ISSN: 0022-4790; 1096-9098
• DOI: 10.1002/jso.21742

Background To retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with a multi‐pin bipolar system. Methods Between August 2005 and December 2006, 18 patients with 30 HCCs (3.40 ± 1.24 cm, range 1.30–6.0 cm; median number of treated lesions is two per patient, range, 1–3) underwent percutaneous RFA with a multi‐pin bipolar system under ultrasound guidance. The primary end‐point were treatment efficacy, major and minor complications, and the secondary end‐point were overall survival and tumor‐free survival. Results Complete ablation with conformed shape to the index tumor was achieved in 16 of 18 patients, and 28 of the 30 tumors were completely ablated. On follow‐up, local and distant intrahepatic tumor progression rates were 12.5% (2 of 16 patients) and 62.5% (10 of 16 patients). There was no patient who developed extrahepatic metastasis. There were no major complications. The 1‐, 2‐year overall survival rates for all patients were 83.3%, 55.6%, respectively, and the corresponding tumor‐free survivals were 50.0%, 22.2%, respectively. Conclusion RFA with a multi‐pin bipolar system was effective and safe for HCC. A large ablation volume could be achieved which conformed to the shape of the index tumor. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011;103:69–74. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.