Hepatic resection versus radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic individuals not candidates for liver transplantation: a Markov model decision analysis

Thermal ablation versus liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of propensity-score matched studies

The outcomes of cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after thermal ablation (TA) versus liver resection (LR) are debated. We aimed to compare the overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and operative outcomes after TA and LR for HCC in patients with cirrhosis. Until November 15, 2022, we searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases by using Medical Subject Heading terms and other terms, and used the Newcastle-Ottawa literature evaluation scale to assess the quality of selected studies. OS, DFS, and operative outcomes were extracted and analyzed. The meta-analysis showed that 5 propensity-score matched (PSM) studies including 933 patients (463 TA vs. 470 LR) were included. After analysis, TA and LR had similar results at 1-year OS (odds ratio [OR] 1.68; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-2.78; P = 0.05) and 3-year OS (OR 0.76; 95% CI 0.56-1.04; P = 0.08), whereas LR increased 5-years OS (OR 0.37; 95% CI 0.18-0.74; P = 0.005). In addition to the DFS, the 1-year DFS was significantly higher in patients with LR. However, there were no obvious differences in 3-year and 5-year DFS when comparing TA and LR. The length of operative time and hospital stay were longer in the LR group. Besides, the LR group had significantly higher rate of perioperative blood transfusions and major complications. Our research proved that LR took advantage of OS and DFS for HCC patients with cirrhosis. Additional well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed.

Efficacy and safety of no-touch radiofrequency ablation for small hepatocellular carcinoma-a systematic review and single-arm meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to report the efficacy and safety of no-touch radiofrequency ablation (NT-RFA) in the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

We systematically searched for eligible studies in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane library until June 1, 2022. Random effect model was applied to synthesize the pooled proportions of local tumor progression-free survival (LTP), recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) respectively, as well as adverse events, for small HCC treated by NT-RFA.

RESULTS

Of the 10 included studies, 3 of them reported local tumor recurrence. One reported local tumor recurrence at 19 months (range, 12-24), and 2 studies had no tumor recurrence with 24-months of follow-up. The 1- and 2-year LTP pooled proportions were 99.3% (95%CI, 97.5-100) and 97.8% (95%CI, 94.6-99.6) respectively, and two studies reported a 3-year LTP rate of 96.4% (204/212, 36/37). The 1-yearRFS rates was 91.3% (95%CI, 84.1-98.4), 2-year was 86.4% (95%CI, 75.3-97.5). The 1-, 2- and 3- year OS rates were 92.4% (95%CI, 82.8-92.7), 84.1% (95%CI, 74.7-93.6) and 81.8% (116/181, 33/36) respectively, and only one study reported a 5-year OS rate of 47.0% (85/181). The ablative success rate of the HCC nodules was 96.6% (95%CI, 91.3-99.5) and the proportions of mild and severe adverse events following ablation were 18.3% (95%CI, 8.1-41.6) and 5.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

NT-RFA provides safely very high rate of sustained local control for the treatment of HCC up to 5 cm.

Surgical resection versus radiofrequency ablation for early recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection (SR) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are reasonable treatment options for early recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (rHCC), but it is still uncertain which treatment is better. The purpose of this study was to compare the therapeutic effects of SR and RFA on patients with early rHCC.

METHODS

This study enrolled 168 patients with early rHCC who underwent SR or RFA. The progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and complications between the treatment groups for the total and propensity score-matched (PSM) cohorts were compared.

RESULTS

Before PSM, the 1-, 3-, 5-year OS (94.8%, 63.0%, 36.1% vs. 93.8%, 58.5%, 35.4%, P  = 0.580) and PFS (50.7%, 22.7%, 12.0% vs. 68.8%, 30.3%, 15.9%, P  = 0.224) were similar in RFA group and the SR group. After PSM, the 1-, 3-, 5-year OS (95.5%, 71.1%, 53.3% vs. 95.5%, 58.0%, 42.1%, P  = 0.285) and PFS (50%, 36.4%, 27.3% vs. 68.2%, 25.6%, 12.8%, P  = 0.999) were similar in the RFA group and the SR group. For patients with early recurrent tumors ≤3 cm, RFA and SR could achieve similar curative effects. However, SR was superior to RFA in terms PFS for patients with early recurrent tumors >3 cm, but the OS was similar. For all patients, RFA had significantly fewer complications and shorter hospitalization time compared with SR.

CONCLUSION

SR achieves better tumor control compared with RFA for patients with early rHCC (>3 cm) after SR. RFA had significantly fewer complications and shorter hospitalization time compared with SR for all patients.

Surgery versus radiofrequency ablation in patients with Child- Pugh class-A/single small (≤3 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS

We compared the post-treatment overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) between patients with Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) class-A and single small (≤3 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated by surgical resection (SR) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 391 HCC patients with CTP class-A who underwent SR (n=232) or RFA (n=159) as first-line therapy for single small (≤3 cm) HCC. Survival was compared according to the tumor size (≤2 cm/2-3 cm) and the presence of cirrhosis. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPW) method was used to estimate the average causal effect of treatment.

RESULTS

The median follow-up period was 64.8 months (interquartile range, 0.1-162.6). After IPW, the estimated OS was similar in the SR and RFA groups (P=0.215), and even in patients with HCC of ≤2 cm (P=0.816) and without cirrhosis (P=0.195). The estimated RFS was better in the SR group than in the RFA groups (P=0.005), also in patients without cirrhosis (P<0.001), but not in those with HCC of ≤2 cm (P=0.234). The weighted Cox proportional hazards model with IPW provided adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for OS, and the RFS after RFA versus SR were 0.698 (0.396-1.232) (P=0.215) and 1.698 (1.777-2.448) (P=0.005), respectively.

CONCLUSION

SR was similar for OS compared to RFA, but was better for RFS in patients with CTP class-A and single small (≤3 cm) HCC. The RFS was determined by the presence or absence of cirrhosis. Hence, SR rather than RFA should be considered in patients without cirrhosis to prolong the RFS, although there is no OS difference.

Cost-utility analysis of selective internal radiation therapy with Y-90 resin microspheres in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: The study assessed the cost-utility of selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) with Y-90 resin microspheres versus sorafenib in UK patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma ineligible for transarterial chemoembolization. Materials & methods: A lifetime partitioned survival model was developed for patients with low tumor burden (≤25%) and good liver function (albumin-bilirubin grade 1). Efficacy, safety and quality of life data were from a European Phase III randomized controlled trial and published studies. Resource use was from registries and clinical surveys. Results: Discounted quality-adjusted life-years were 1.982 and 1.381, and discounted total costs were £29,143 and 30,927, for SIRT and sorafenib, respectively. Conclusion: SIRT has the potential to be a dominant (more efficacious/less costly) or cost-effective alternative to sorafenib in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

An Appraisal of Radiofrequency Ablation and Surgical Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Results from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Registry

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide, but only a small percentage of patients are eligible for curative surgical intervention. Over the past decade, radio-frequency ablation (RFA) has been increasingly shown to offer long-term survival benefits. Our study objective was to compare outcomes of patients with HCC who underwent surgical resection with those who received RFA. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry, we identified 1209 (21%) and 4595 (79%) patients with HCC who received RFA and surgical resection, respectively, between the years 1988 and 2008. When comparing the groups, patients undergoing RFA were older (years, 62.6 vs 58.7; P < 0.001) and had smaller tumors (less than 5 cm; 84.4 vs 61.2%; P < 0.001), yet patients who underwent surgical resection had improved survival over patients undergoing RFA (median survival, 5 vs 3 years, respectively; P < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate analysis verified the superiority of surgical resection over ablation (hazard ratio [HR], 0.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.60 to 0.80; P < 0.001 and HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.52 to 0.63; P < 0.001, respectively). In summary, our investigation demonstrates that surgical resection provides durable long-term survival for surgical candidates with HCC; however, RFA remains an appropriate alternative therapy that also provides long-term survival in select patients.

Patients' treatment preferences for potentially resectable tumors of the head of the pancreas

BACKGROUND

The primary aim of this study was to assess if patients with potentially resectable ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) of the head of the pancreas would choose a Whipple procedure versus palliative chemotherapy.

METHODS

A cohort of adults with radiological resectable PDAC was enrolled at a tertiary Canadian teaching hospital. Participants were informed about treatment options, expected outcomes, and adverse events using data from the most recent scientific literature. Probability trade-off (PTO) was used to elicit treatment preferences.

RESULTS

Surgery was preferred by all participants except one (96.7% vs. 3.3%; P = 0.0001). For 90% of participants preferring surgery, the main reason was the hope of being cured (P = 0.001). If the risk of perioperative mortality was higher than 57%, the risk of perioperative morbidity higher than 85% and the survival benefit was less than 4 months, half of the participants preferred palliative chemotherapy. The likelihood of needing blood transfusions, the length of hospital stay, and long-term consequences such as diabetes or pancreatic exocrine insufficiency were negligible concerns to participants.

CONCLUSIONS

Informed patients with early-stage PDAC prefer resection over palliative chemotherapy. The dominating factor influencing their decision is the hope of a cure that overshadow the risks of complications, mortality and recurrent disease.

Economic Implications of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance and Treatment: A Guide for Clinicians

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing worldwide, with significant morbidity and associated costs. Treatment allocation depends on the stage of diagnosis; however, resource utilization can be significant across all stages. We aimed to summarize the available data on the cost effectiveness of surveillance of and treatments for HCC in the context of current treatment guidelines. We performed a focused review of studies investigating the economic burden and cost effectiveness of HCC surveillance treatment modalities published between January 2000 and January 2019. The overall economic burden of HCC is increasing in the USA and in several countries worldwide due to its rising incidence and the proliferation of therapies. Liver transplantation is a cost-effective strategy for early-stage HCC treatment in selected patients. In settings where liver transplantation is not available or in patients awaiting transplant, ablative or locoregional therapies are cost effective with increases in quality-adjusted life-years. First-line therapy with sorafenib for advanced stage HCC is cost effective in the treatment of compensated cirrhosis. The cost effectiveness of recently approved systemic therapies for advanced HCC require further investigation. Existing studies have shown that guideline-recommended surveillance techniques and several available therapies for the treatment of HCC are cost effective; however, there are limitations in the literature, including reliance on suboptimal modeling with incomplete/simplified model structure or inadequate inputs. With increasing therapeutic options in patients with HCC, understanding their relative value is critical in designing HCC treatment algorithms.

Hepatic resection vs percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma abutting right diaphragm

BACKGROUND

It is usually difficult to adequately conduct percutaneous ultrasound-guided radiofrequency (RF) ablation for hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) abutting the diaphragm. Our hypothesis was that the subphrenic location of HCC could have an effect on the long-term therapeutic outcomes after hepatic resection and RF ablation.

AIM

To compare the long-term therapeutic outcomes of hepatic resection and percutaneous RF ablation for HCCs abutting the diaphragm.

METHODS

A total of 143 Child-Pugh class A patients who had undergone hepatic resection (n = 80) or percutaneous ultrasound-guided RF ablation (n = 63) for an HCC (≤ 3 cm) abutting the right diaphragm were included. Cumulative local tumor progression (LTP), cumulative intrahepatic distant recurrence (IDR), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) rates were estimated. Prognostic factors for DFS and OS were analyzed. Complications were evaluated.

RESULTS

The cumulative IDR rate, DFS rate, and OS rate for the hepatic resection group and RF ablation group at 5 years were “35.9% vs 65.8%”, “64.1% vs 18.3%”, and “88.4% vs 68.7%”, respectively. Hepatic resection was an independent prognostic factor for DFS (P ≤ 0.001; hazard ratio, 0.352; 95%CI: 0.205, 0.605; with RF ablation as the reference category); however, treatment modality was not an independent prognostic factor for OS. The LTP rate was 46.6% at 5 years for the RF ablation group. The major complication rate was not significantly different between the groups (P = 0.630). The rate of occurrence of peritoneal seeding was higher in the RF ablation group (1.3% vs 9.5%, P = 0.044).

CONCLUSION

Although OS was not significantly different between patients who had gone hepatic resection or percutaneous RF ablation for HCCs abutting the diaphragm, DFS was better in the hepatic resection group.

Liver resection versus transarterial chemoembolization for the treatment of intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The role of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) as the standard treatment for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is being challenged by increasing studies supporting liver resection (LR); but evidence of survival benefits of LR is lacking. We aimed to compare the overall survival (OS) of LR with that of TACE for the treatment of intermediate-stage HCC in cirrhotic patients.

METHODS

A Markov model, comparing LR with TACE over 15 years, was developed based on the data from 31 literatures. Additionally, external validation of the model was performed using a data set (n = 1735; LR: 701; TACE: 1034) from a tertiary center with propensity score matching method. We conducted one-way and two-way sensitivity analyses, in addition to a Monte Carlo analysis with 10 000 patients allocated into each arm.

RESULTS

The mean expected survival times and survival rates at 5 years were 77.8 months and 47.1% in LR group, and 48.6 months and 25.7% in TACE group, respectively. Sensitivity analyses found that initial LR was the most favorable treatment. The 95% CI for the difference in OS was 2.42-2.46 years between the two groups (P < 0.001). In the validation set, the 5-year survival rates after LR were significantly better than those after TACE before (40.2% vs. 25.9%, P < 0.001) and after matching (43.2% vs 30.9%, P < 0.001), which was comparable to the model results.

CONCLUSIONS

For cirrhotic patients with resectable intermediate-stage HCC, LR may provide survival benefit over TACE, but large-scale studies are required to further stratify patients at this stage for different optimal treatments.

Timely eradication of HCV viremia by PegIFN/RBV is crucial in prevention of post RFA recurrence in CHC-HCC patients

BACKGROUND

Secondary prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) who achieve sustained virologic response (SVR) with interferon-based therapy has been proved effective. However, tertiary prevention with PegIFN/RBV therapy of HCC recurrence seems limited effect in CHC-HCC patients post curative therapies. This study aims to investigate the timing and impact of PegIFN/RBV treatment on prevention of HCC recurrence in patients after RFA treatment.

METHODS

From 2013 to 2016, a total of 137 CHC-HCC patients from a 508 patient based cohort receiving complete RFA treatment in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center were retrospectively recruited. Pre-RFA patient demographics were analyzed by cox regression analysis for prediction on tumor recurrence. Statistics analysis was performed with SPSS V.20 (IBM, USA).

RESULTS

The mean age of the 137 patients were 69.6 year-old and 71.5% of patients were cirrhotic. After propensity score matching, one hundred and two patients were enrolled into the analysis. Fifty-one patients (50%) received PegIFN/RBV therapy and twenty-seven patients (52.9%) achieved SVR. Patients who could achieve SVR had lower tumor recurrence rate than non-SVR and untreated groups (29.6% vs. 66.7% vs. 49.0%, P = 0.030). The effect is more prominent in those achieve SVR prior to compared with after RFA despite not reach statistically significant (26.1% vs. 50.0%, P = 0.334).

CONCLUSION

Timely treatment with SVR achievement has the lowest tumor recurrence rate in CHC-HCC patients. Secondary prevention might be even more important than tertiary prevention in CHC patients, especially regarding prevention of post RFA HCC recurrence.

Health-Related Quality of Life Comparisons After Radical Therapy for Early-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

For cancer patients, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is as important as other key outcomes, such as overall survival and tumor-free survival. Liver transplantation (LT), resection, and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are 3 radical therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that result in similar survival. The main objective of this study was to assess and compare long-term HRQoL scores for patients with early-stage (tumor diameter ≤3 cm) HCC after LT, resection, or RFA.

METHODS

A total of 128 HCC patients with a single tumor ≤3 cm and who agreed to undergo LT, resection, or RFA were included in the present analysis. Postoperative HRQoL was evaluated by using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire. The 3 groups were compared at the 6-month and 3-year time points.

RESULTS

The 3 groups showed comparable 3-year HCC recurrence rates (P > .05). Compared with the LT and resection groups, the RFA group had significantly higher scores for bodily pain, general health, and vitality 6 months after surgery (all P values < .05). Moreover, at 3 years after surgery, the RFA group had higher scores for bodily pain and vitality than the other 2 groups (P < .05) and a higher general health score than the resection group. Other aspects of HRQoL were comparable among the 3 groups at both time points.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to its comparable HCC recurrence rate and superior long-term HRQoL scores relative to other radical therapies, RFA may be the first-choice treatment for solitary early-stage HCC.

Surgical treatment strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with impaired liver function: hepatic resection or radiofrequency ablation?

BACKGROUND

To compare the survival impacts of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as an initial treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with impaired liver functional reserve compared to those of hepatic resection (HR).

METHODS

In total, 104 patients with liver damage B as defined by the Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan underwent RFA (n = 33) or HR (n = 71) as an initial treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma. The overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were compared, and independent prognostic factors were identified.

RESULTS

The OS tended to be better in the RFA group than in the HR group. There was no significant difference in the DFS rate between the two groups. Independent poor prognostic factors for OS were tumor size >3 cm and red blood cell transfusion, and those for DFS were aspartate aminotransferase level >35 IU/L and multiple tumors. Subgroup analyses revealed that the OS with RFA was significantly better in patients with aspartate aminotransferase >35 IU/L, serum albumin <3.5 g/dL, and ^99mTc-galactosyl human serum albumin <0.85.

CONCLUSIONS

RFA offers comparable results with HR and may be preferable for HCC in the particular setting of liver damage B, especially in those with poorer liver functional reserve.

Comparison of repeated surgical resection and radiofrequency ablation for small recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after primary resection

There is controversy concerning whether radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or surgical resection (SR) is a better treatment option for recurrent HCC after resection. In Kaohsiung Veteran General Hospital, from January 2002 to September 2014, a total of 100 consecutive patients who developed recurrent HCCs with a tumor size ≦ 3 cm and tumor numbers ≦ 3 after surgical resection were enrolled. Among these patients, 57 patients received RFA and 43 patients underwent repeated SR. Baseline characteristics at the time of recurrence after hepatic resection and clinical outcomes following treatment of recurrent HCC were compared between the two groups. The baseline data of initial HCC and the first recurrence of HCC were comparable in both groups. The 1-, 3-, 5-year overall survival rates following treatment of the first recurrence of HCC were 97.6%, 82.7%, 56.4% in the repeated SR group and 98.2%, 77.2%, 52.6% in the RFA group (p = 0.69). The 1-, 3-, 5-year disease-free survival rates were 57.0%, 32.1%, 28.6% in the repeated SR group and 60.8%, 26.6%, 16.6% in the RFA group ((p = 0.89). There was a trend whereby patients who underwent repeated SR had more procedure-related morbidity than patients who underwent RFA (16% vs. 7%, p = 0.14). The median total hospital days were longer in the repeated SR group than that in the RFA group (13 vs. 5 days, p < 0.05). In the small recurrent HCCs after SR, RFA achieved similar overall survival and disease-free survival than those with repeated SR as well as having a shorter hospital stay.

Mesoporous composite nanoparticles for dual-modality ultrasound/magnetic resonance imaging and synergistic chemo-/thermotherapy against deep tumors

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a promising and noninvasive treatment for solid tumors, which has been explored for potential clinical applications. However, the clinical applications of HIFU for large and deep tumors such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are severely limited by unsatisfactory imaging guidance, long therapeutic times, and damage to normal tissue around the tumor due to the high power applied. In this study, we developed doxorubicin/perfluorohexane-encapsulated hollow mesoporous Prussian blue nanoparticles (HMPBs-DOX/PFH) as theranostic agents, which can effectively guide HIFU therapy and enhance its therapeutic effects in combination with chemotherapy, by decreasing the cavitation threshold. We investigated the effects of this agent on ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we showed a highly efficient HIFU therapeutic effect against HCC tumors, as well as controlled drug release, owing to the phase-transitional performance of the PFH. We therefore conclude that HMPB-DOX/PFH is a safe and efficient nanoplatform, which holds significant promise for cancer theranostics against deep tumors in clinical settings.

The Geography of Primary Hepatic Neoplasms Treatments in Canada: Changes in Latitudes and Changes in Attitudes

BACKGROUND

Studies on treatment modalities for primary hepatic neoplasms (PHN) in Canada are lacking. Our primary aim was to analyze the age-standardized incidence of hepatic resection, ablation, transplantation, and embolization for PHN between 2002 and 2013. Secondary aim was to evaluate temporal trends for these treatment modalities.

STUDY DESIGN

National Canadian Cancer Registries were accessed for relevant epidemiological data. Age-standardized incidence of treatment ratios (SIRs) was calculated and comparisons were performed for Atlantic Canada, Ontario, the Prairies, and British Columbia.

RESULTS

British Columbia recorded the highest SIRs for ablation (1.9; 95% CI 1.8-2.0), hepatic resection (1.2; 95% CI 1.1-1.3), and transarterial locoregional therapies (2.8; 95% CI 2.4-3.2). For hepatic resection, the lowest SIR was found in Atlantic Canada (0.7; 95% CI 0.6-0.9), while the Prairies recorded the lowest estimate for transarterial therapies (0.2; 95% CI 0.1-0.4). Liver transplantation had the highest SIR in Ontario (1.5; 95% CI 1.3-1.6) and the lowest SIR in British Columbia. No significant temporal changes in SIRs were observed for any of the treatments except for transarterial therapies.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of PHN in Canada differs by geography. Variations might be due to differences in expertise or access to therapeutic modalities.

Medical Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) typically occurs in patients with advanced liver disease, so therapeutic decisions must account for the degree of underlying liver dysfunction and patient performance status in addition to tumor burden. Curative treatment options, including liver transplantation, surgical resection, and local ablative therapies, offer 5-year survival rates exceeding 60% but are restricted to patients with early-stage HCC. Surgical resection and local ablative therapies are also limited by high recurrence rates, highlighting a need for adjuvant and/or neoadjuvant therapies. A majority of patients with HCC are diagnosed beyond an early stage, when the tumor is no longer amenable to curative options. For patients with liver-localized HCC in whom curative options are not possible, transarterial therapies, either chemoembolization or radioembolization, can prolong survival but are rarely curative. Sorafenib and regorafenib are the only approved first-line and second-line systemic therapies, respectively, with a survival benefit for patients with advanced HCC; however, the benefit is primarily observed in patients with intact liver function and good performance status. There are several ongoing phase II and III trials evaluating novel systemic therapies, including immunotherapies. Patients with poor performance status or severe hepatic dysfunction do not derive any survival benefit from HCC-directed therapy and have a median survival of approximately 6 months. These patients should be treated with best supportive care, with a focus on maximizing quality of life. Multidisciplinary care has been shown to improve appropriateness of treatment decisions and overall survival and should be considered standard of care for patients with HCC.

Effect of Age (over 75 Years) on Postoperative Complications and Survival in Patients Undergoing Hepatic Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Thanks to technical advancement in surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), hepatic resection (HR) for elderly HCC patients has become safer. However, elderly patients may have shorter long-term survival after surgery if compared with younger patients because of their expected life span. The aim of the present study was to evaluate clinical outcomes and safety after HR in HCC patients aged >75 years (older) compared with HCC patients aged <75 years (younger).

METHOD

One hundred sixty-eight patients who underwent HR for HCC from 1998 to 2015 in our Center were analyzed using a prospective database. Complications, disease-free survival rates, and cumulative survival rates were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

During the immediate postoperative period, no differences were found about liver-related complications, hospital stay and 90-day mortality. However, older patients had more complications in class II or higher (Clavien classification) (p = 0.017). Although disease-free survival in both groups was similar (p = 0.099), overall survival was worse in the elderly group (p = 0.024). On multivariate analysis, only age ≥75 years was significantly related to overall survival.

CONCLUSION

If elderly patients with liver cirrhosis and HCC are appropriately selected and evaluated, they might have favorable prognoses after HR.

Radiofrequency ablation versus stereotactic body radiotherapy for small hepatocellular carcinoma: a Markov model-based analysis

The aim of this study is to compare radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) smaller than 3 cm. A Markov cohort model was developed to simulate a cohort of patients aged 60–65 years with small HCCs who had undergone either RFA or SBRT and were followed up over their remaining life expectancy. The inclusion criteria were: (1) HCC ≤3 cm in diameter with ≤ 3 nodules; (2) absence of extrahepatic metastasis or portal/hepatic vein invasion; (3) Child‐Pugh Class A or B. Twenty thousand virtual patients were randomly assigned to undergo RFA or SBRT. Predicted life expectancy was 6.452 and 6.371 years in the RFA and SBRT groups, respectively. The probability distributions of the expected overall survival were nearly identical. The 95% confidence intervals were 6.25–6.66 and 6.17–6.58 years for RFA and SBRT, respectively. The difference between RFA and SBRT was insignificant (P = 0.2884). Two‐way sensitivity analysis demonstrated that if the tumor is 2–3 cm, SBRT is the preferred treatment option. Our Markov model has shown that expected overall survival of SBRT is nearly identical to RFA in HCCs smaller than 3 cm, but SBRT may have an advantage for tumors 2 cm and larger. A randomized trial is required to confirm these findings.

Pre-treatment double- or triple-positive tumor markers are predictive of a poor outcome for patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSES

We evaluated the therapeutic effect of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) according to the number of positive tumor markers.

METHODS

The subjects of this study were 160 patients who underwent percutaneous and surgical RFA for HCC. Patients were divided into negative (n = 51), single- (n = 69), double- (n = 31), and triple-positive (n = 9) tumor marker groups according to the pre-treatment expression of these markers. We looked for any relationships among clinical parameters, outcomes, and tumor markers.

RESULTS

The 3-year recurrence-free and overall survival rates of the negative, single-, double-, and triple-positive groups were 30, 19, 16, and 11 % (P = 0.02), and 94, 88, 67, and 37 % (P < 0.001), respectively. The 2-year local recurrence rates were 6.5, 0, 41.2, and 61.9 %, respectively (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that a double- or triple-positive pre-treatment tumor marker profile was independently associated with local recurrence [hazard ratio (HR) 5.48, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 2.44-12.33, P < 0.001] and overall survival (HR 4.21, 95 % CI 1.89-9.37, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

RFA may not be suitable for patients with HCC who have pre-treatment expression of ≥two of these tumor markers.

A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Shuangbai San for Treating Primary Liver Cancer Patients With Cancer Pain

CONTEXT

Shuangbai San is a Chinese herb preparation used externally to treat pain. There have been few randomized controlled trials addressing the safety and usefulness of Shuangbai San, such as its effect on pain relief and quality of life (QOL) improvement.

OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Shuangbai San on relieving pain and improving QOL in primary liver cancer patients with cancer pain.

METHODS

A total of 134 primary liver cancer patients with mild pain (numerical rating scale [NRS] ≤ 3), either locally in the liver or in the upper abdomen, were enrolled and randomly allocated to the group receiving Shuangbai San or the control group (receiving placebo). The primary outcome measures were the NRS score and QOL scales, including the QOL scale for patients with liver cancer, version 2.0 and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QOL Questionnaire-C30. The secondary outcome measures included the Karnofsky Performance Status score, blood indicators, and liver and kidney function before and after treatment.

RESULTS

The NRS scores decreased more significantly in the Shuangbai San group than in the placebo group (P < 0.05) at the corresponding time points. The changes in the scores for the physical function, psychological function, and symptoms/adverse effects domains of the QOL scale for patients with liver cancer, version 2.0 and the physical, emotional, and cognitive domains of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QOL Questionnaire-C30 were significantly greater in the Shuangbai San group than in the placebo group (P < 0.05). The changes in the scores for the other domains were not significantly different (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The use of Shuangbai San can relieve mild pain in liver cancer patients and improve their QOL.

Switching bipolar hepatic radiofrequency ablation using internally cooled wet electrodes: comparison with consecutive monopolar and switching monopolar modes

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether switching bipolar radiofrequency ablation (SB-RFA) using three internally cooled wet (ICW) electrodes can induce coagulations >5 cm in porcine livers with better efficiency than consecutive monopolar (CM) or switching monopolar (SM) modes.

METHODS

A total of 60 coagulations were made in 15 in vivo porcine livers using three 17-gauge ICW electrodes and a multichannel radiofrequency (RF) generator. RF energy (approximately 200 W) was applied in CM mode (Group A, n = 20) for 24 min, SM mode for 12 min (Group B, n = 20) or switching bipolar (SB) mode for 12 min (Group C, n = 20) in in vivo porcine livers. Thereafter, the delivered RFA energy, as well as the shape and dimension of coagulations were compared among the groups.

RESULTS

Spherical- or oval-shaped ablations were created in 30% (6/20), 85% (17/20) and 90% (18/20) of coagulations in the CM, SM and SB groups, respectively (p = 0.003). SB-RFA created ablations >5 cm in minimum diameter (Dmin) in 65% (13/20) of porcine livers, whereas SM- or CM-RFA created ablations >5 cm in only 25% (5/20) and 20% (4/20) of porcine livers, respectively (p = 0.03). The mean Dmin of coagulations was significantly larger in Group C than in Groups A and B (5.1 ± 0.9, 3.9 ± 1.2 and 4.4 ± 1.0 cm, respectively, p = 0.002) at a lower delivered RF energy level (76.8 ± 14.3, 120.9 ± 24.5 and 114.2 ± 18.3 kJ, respectively, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

SB-RFA using three ICW electrodes can create coagulations >5 cm in diameter with better efficiency than do SM- or CM-RFA.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

SB-RFA can create large, regular ablation zones with better time-energy efficiency than do CM- or SM-RFA.

Cost-effectiveness of navigated radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma in China

OBJECTIVES

Real-time virtual sonography (RVS) is a promising navigation technique for percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment, especially in ablating nodules poorly visualized on conventional ultrasonography (US). However, its cost-effectiveness has not been established. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of RVS navigated RFA (RVS-RFA) relative to US guided RFA (US-RFA) in patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in China, from the modified societal perspective.

METHODS

A state-transition Markov model was created using TreeAge Pro™ 2012. The parameters used in the model, including natural history of HCC patients, procedure efficacy and related costs, were obtained from a systematic search of literature through PubMed, EMBASE, and Science Citation Index databases. The simulated cohort was patients with solitary, small HCC (<3 cm in diameter) and Child-Pugh class A or B, whose tumors are poorly visualized in B-mode US but clearly detectable by CT or MRI.

RESULTS

In this cohort of difficult cases, RVS-RFA was a preferred strategy saving 2,467 CNY ($392) throughout the patient's life while gaining additional 1.4 QALYs compared with conventional US guidance. The results were sensitive to the efficacy of US-RFA and RVS-RFA including complete ablation rate and local recurrence rate, the median survival for patients with progressive HCC, the probability of performing RFA for recurrent HCC, and the cost of RVS navigation, disposable needle or hospitalization.

CONCLUSIONS

RVS-RFA is a dominant strategy for patients with small HCC unidentifiable in B-mode US, in terms of cost savings and QALYs gained, relative to the conventional US-guided method.

Evaluation and management of hepatocellular carcinoma

The burden of hepatocellular carcinoma is rising and anticipated to escalate and while the best chance for long term cure remains transplantation, however the shortage of available organs remains a limitation. Liver directed therapy can serve the role of bridge/downstaging to transplant or as palliative care. Despite an improved overall survival among patients with HCC, due to advancements in surgical techniques, liver directed and systemic therapy, the 5 year overall survival remains low at 18% high-lightening the need for novel therapies. Surveillance for HCC is key to detect disease at an early stage to increase the chances for a potentially curative option.

Hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with portal hypertension: a long-term benefit compared with transarterial chemoembolization and thermal ablation

The optimal treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension (PHT) is still controversial. The objective of this study is to compare HCC patients with PHT treated with hepatic resection to those treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or thermal ablation. A series of 167 cirrhotic patients with HCC undergoing hepatic resection or TACE/ablation from 2001 to 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. Cirrhotic patients with HCC were divided into 3 groups: hepatic resection in HCC patients with PHT (PHT-R group, n = 58), without PHT (NPHT-R group, n = 67), and TACE or thermal ablation in HCC patients with PHT (PHT-O group, n = 42). The short-term and long-term outcomes of liver function, operative mortality and morbidity, and survival rate were compared.Baseline characteristics were similar among the 3 groups, except for patients in the PHT-R group had larger spleen (16.0 vs 11.4 cm, P = 0.001) and smaller tumor size (4.8 vs 7.1 cm, P = 0.001) in comparison with those in the NPHT-R group. The PHT-R group had better liver function compared with those in the PHT-O group (patients had Child-Turcotte-Pugh class B liver function: 5.2% vs 31%, P = 0.001). There was no significant difference of operative mortality and morbidity in all groups. The 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates were 80.4%, 55.6%, and 28.1% in the PHT-R group; 79.1%, 64.2%, and 39.8% in the NPHT-R group (vs PHT-R, P = 0.313); and 60.7%, 24.4%, and 7.3% in the PHT-O group (vs PHT-R, P < 0.001). Hepatic resection shows better long-term results for cirrhotic HCC patients with PHT than TACE and thermal ablation.

Repeated Hepatic Resection versus Radiofrequency Ablation for Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Hepatic Resection: A Propensity Score Matching Study

PURPOSE

To compare the long-term outcomes of repeated hepatic resection and radiofrequency (RF) ablation for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by using propensity score matching.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board, and the requirement to obtain informed consent was waived. Thirty-nine patients who underwent repeated hepatic resection and 178 who underwent RF ablation for recurrent HCC (mean tumor size ± standard deviation, 1.8 cm ± 0.7) between November 1994 and December 2012 were included in the study. Patients ranged in age from 24 to 85 years (mean, 54.9 years). Men ranged in age from 25 to 85 years (mean, 54.8 years), and women ranged in age from 24 to 76 years (mean, 55.4 years). A 1:2 repeated hepatic resection group-RF ablation group matching was done by using propensity score matching. The overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were compared before and after propensity score matching. Complications were assessed.

RESULTS

Before matching, OS rates at 1, 3, 5, and 8 years were 88.8%, 88.8%, 83.9%, and 56.3%, respectively, with repeated hepatic resection and 98.9%, 82.5%, 71.0%, and 58.3% for RF ablation. DFS rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 66.1%, 48.5%, and 43.1% for repeated hepatic resection and 70.1%, 40.8%, and 30.0% for RF ablation. After matching, the OS rates at 1, 3, 5, and 8 years were 98.7%, 85.7%, 72.1%, and 68.6%, respectively, and the DFS rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 71.8%, 45.1%, and 39.4% in the RF ablation group (n = 78). Neither the OS nor DFS rate was significantly different between the two groups before matching (P = .686 and P = .461) and after matching (P = .834 and P = .960). The postoperative mortality rate was 2.6% in the repeated hepatic resection group and 0% in the RF ablation group.

CONCLUSION

The long-term OS and DFS were not significantly different between repeated hepatic resection and RF ablation for patients with recurrent HCC after hepatic resection.

Evolving ablative therapies for hepatic malignancy

The liver is a common site for both primary and secondary malignancy. Hepatic resection and transplantation are the two treatment modalities that have been shown to achieve complete cure, but only 10 to 20% of patients are candidates for these treatments. For the remaining patients, tumor ablation has emerged as the most promising alternative modality. In addition to providing local control and improving survival outcomes, tumor ablation also helps to down stage patients for potential curative treatments, both alone as well as in combination with other treatments. While tumor ablation can be achieved in multiple ways, the introduction of newer ablative techniques has shifted the focus from palliation to potentially curative treatment. Because the long-term safety and survival benefits are not substantive at present, it is important that we strive to evaluate the results from these studies using appropriate comparative outcome methodologies.

Liver resection and radiofrequency ablation of very early hepatocellular carcinoma cases (single nodule <2 cm): a single-center study

AIM

The aim of our study was to compare the short-term and long-term outcomes of resection and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in cases of very early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (tumors<2 cm in diameter).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between July 2003 and August 2008, 52 patients were diagnosed as very early HCC (≤2 cm), of whom 21 received a liver resection and 31 underwent RFA. We compared the baseline characteristics, the intraoperative data, and the recovery metrics between these two groups including postoperative complications and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall and tumor-free survival rates.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences were observed in the baseline characteristics between very early HCC patients allocated to the liver resection group and those in the RFA group. The liver function in the liver resection group was better than that of the RFA group with respect to the Child score (P=0.004), but not the model for end-stage liver disease score (P=0.066). More tumor targets were located in the center of the liver (compared with the periphery) in the RFA group (P=0.003). The RFA patients showed much shorter operative times, less blood loss, and had shorter hospital stays than the resection group but had a much higher overall cost (all P=0.000). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 95.2, 85.7, and 81.0%, respectively, for the liver resection group, and 93.5, 90.3, and 80.6%, respectively, for the RFA group (P=0.976). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year tumor-free survival rates were 90.5, 81.0, and 76.2%, respectively, in the resection group and 90.3, 83.9, and 71.0%, respectively, in the RFA group (P=0.830).

CONCLUSION

With comparable short-term and long-term effects on overall survival and tumor recurrence rate and with a shorter operative time, less blood loss, and a shorter hospital stay, RFA should be considered as the first choice for the treatment for very early HCCs as it presents an efficacious and economic option.

Patients' preferences and trade-offs for the treatment of early stage hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Radio frequency ablation (RFA) and hepatic resection (HR) provide similar survival for early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (ES-HCC). Although RFA has a higher recurrence rate, HR is associated with an increased risk of complications and death. When multiple treatments are available, patients should be enabled to direct their preferred therapy. Yet there is lack of knowledge on patients' preferences for the treatment of ES-HCC. The objective of this study was to assess treatment preferences between HR and RFA for ES-HCC.

METHODS

A cohort of 75 cirrhotic adults was educated about the natural history of HCC, treatment options, and the risks and the benefits of HR and RFA. Probability trade-off interviews were used to elicit participants' preferences between the two treatments and strength of their decisions.

RESULTS

RFA was preferred by 70% of participants (P = 0.001) who identified the risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality of HR as the main reasons for their decision. Participants changed their minds if HR could provide better 5 (≥15%) and 3-y disease-free survival (≥10%) when compared with RFA. Their preference also changed when RFA had a median ≥8% risk for complications, ≥5% for mortality, ≥8% for nonradical therapy, and ≥5% for tumor seeding.

CONCLUSIONS

Informed cirrhotic patients prefer RFA for the treatment of ES-HCC. Participants who preferred RFA were more concerned about the risks of perioperative morbidity and mortality of HR than long-term cancer outcomes. Patients' values and attitudes toward risks and benefits for the treatment of ES-HCC should be explicitly elicited and included in multidisciplinary treatment decisions.

Hepatocellular carcinoma and other liver lesions

Patients with cirrhosis are at greatest risk for development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and should undergo semiannual surveillance using ultrasound, with or without alpha fetoprotein. Patients with positive surveillance testing should undergo contrast-enhanced MRI or 4-phase CT for diagnostic evaluation. There are therapeutic options for most patients with any tumor stage; however, treatment decisions must be individualized after accounting for degree of liver dysfunction and patient performance status. A multidisciplinary approach to care is recommended for optimal communication and treatment delivery. The aim of this review is to provide an up-to-date summary of the diagnosis and management of HCC.

Radiofrequency (thermal) ablation versus no intervention or other interventions for hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the fifth most common cancer worldwide. Percutaneous interventional therapies, such as radiofrequency (thermal) ablation (RFA), have been developed for early hepatocellular carcinoma. RFA competes with other interventional techniques such as percutaneous ethanol injection, surgical resection, and liver transplantation. The potential benefits and harms of RFA compared with placebo, no intervention, chemotherapy, hepatic resection, liver transplantation, or other interventions are unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the beneficial and harmful effects of RFA versus placebo, no intervention, or any other therapeutic approach in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, and ISI Web of Science to September 2012. We handsearched meeting abstracts from ASCO, ESMO, AASLD, EASL, APASL, and references of articles. We also contacted researchers in the field (last search September 2012).

SELECTION CRITERIA

We considered for inclusion randomised clinical trials investigating the effects of RFA versus placebo, no intervention, or any other therapeutic approach on hepatocellular carcinoma patients regardless of blinding, language, and publication status.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently performed the selection of trials, assessment of risk of bias, and data extraction. We contacted principal investigators for missing information. We analysed hazard ratios (HR) as relevant effect measures for overall survival, two-year survival, event-free survival, and local recurrences with 95% confidence intervals (CI). In addition, we analysed dichotomous survival outcomes using risk ratios (RR). We used trial sequential analysis to control the risk of random errors ('play of chance').

MAIN RESULTS

We identified no trials comparing RFA versus placebo, no intervention, or liver transplantation. We identified and included 11 randomised clinical trials with 1819 participants that included four comparisons: RFA versus hepatic resection (three trials, 578 participants); RFA versus percutaneous ethanol injection (six trials, 1088 participants) including one three-armed trial that also investigated RFA versus acetic acid injection; RFA versus microwave ablation (one trial, 72 participants); and RFA versus laser ablation (one trial, 81 participants). Ten of the eleven included trials reported on the primary outcome of this review, overall survival. Rates of major complications or procedure-related deaths were reported in 10 trials. The overall risk of bias was considered low in five trials and high in six trials. For a subgroup analysis, we included only low risk of bias trials. Regarding the comparison RFA versus hepatic resection, there was moderate-quality evidence from two low risk of bias trials that hepatic resection seems more effective than RFA regarding overall survival (HR 0.56; 95% CI 0.40 to 0.78) and two-year survival (HR 0.38; 95% CI 0.17 to 0.84). However, if we included a third trial with high risk of bias, the difference became insignificant (overall survival: HR 0.71; 95% CI 0.44 to 1.15). With regards to the outcomes event-free survival and local progression, hepatic resection also yielded better results than RFA. However, the number of complications was higher in surgically treated participants (odds ratio (OR) 8.24; 95% CI 2.12 to 31.95). RFA seemed superior to percutaneous ethanol or acetic acid injection regarding overall survival (HR 1.64; 95% CI 1.31 to 2.07). The RR for mortality was also in favour of RFA, but did not reach statistical significance (150/490 (30.6%) people in the percutaneous ethanol or acetic acid group versus 119/496 (24.0%) people in the RFA group; RR 1.76; 95% CI 0.97 to 3.22). The proportion of adverse events did not differ significantly between RFA and percutaneous ethanol or acetic acid injection (HR 0.70; 95% CI 0.33 to 1.48). Trial sequential analyses revealed that the number of participants in the included trials was insufficient and that more trials are needed to assess the effects of RFA versus other interventions.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The effects of RFA versus no intervention, chemotherapeutic treatment, or liver transplantation are unknown. We found moderate-quality evidence that hepatic resection is superior to RFA regarding survival. However, RFA might be associated with fewer complications and a shorter hospital stay than hepatic resection. We found moderate-quality evidence showing that RFA seems superior to percutaneous ethanol injection regarding survival. There were too sparse data to recommend or refute ablation achieved by techniques other than RFA. More randomised clinical trials with low risk of bias and low risks of random errors assessing the effect of RFA are needed.

Percutaneous ablation therapy versus surgical resection in the treatment for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis of 21,494 patients

PURPOSE

To compare comprehensively the benefits of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) with those of surgical resection (SR) in early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

The potentially relevant studies comparing the efficacy and safety of RFA and/or PEI with those of SR were searched using the databases such as PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase and Chinese databases (CNKI and Wanfang data). Overall survival rate, recurrence-free survival rate and complications were compared and analyzed. Pooled odds ratios with 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs) were calculated using either the fixed-effects model or random-effects model. All statistic analyses were conducted using the Review Manager (version 5.1.) from the Cochrane Collaboration.

RESULTS

Our analysis showed that the overall survival rate in patients treated with SR was significantly higher than that of percutaneous ablation therapy (PAT) [SR vs. PAT: 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI)2-year 0.46-0.89, P = 0.009; 95 % CI3-year 0.57-0.83, P < 0.0001; 95 % CI5-year 0.45-0.46, P < 0.0001]. SR was associated with significantly higher recurrence-free survival rate compared with PAT (SR vs. PAT: 95 % CI1-year 0.51-0.90, P = 0.008; 95 % CI2-year 0.41-0.78, P = 0.0004; 95 % CI3-year 0.38-0.77, P = 0.0006; 95 % CI5-year 0.33-0.61, P < 0.0001). SR resulted in longer survival than PAT in HCCs no larger than 3 cm. PAT was associated with less complications compared with SR (PAT vs. SR: 95 % CI 0.14-0.76, P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Although SR was associated with more complications, SR was superior to RFA and PEI for treatment of patients with early-stage HCC.

Radiofrequency ablation versus hepatic resection for the treatment of early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma meeting Milan criteria: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Current options for the treatment of the early-stage HCC conforming to the Milan criteria consist of liver transplantation, hepatic resection (HR), transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) .Whether HR or RFA is the better treatment for early HCC has long been debated. The aim of our paper is to compare the therapeutic effects of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and hepatic resection (HR) in the treatment of early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Controlled trials evaluating the efficacy between RFA and HR for the treatment of early-stage HCC published before June 2013 were searched electronically using MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases. Using inclusion and exclusion criteria, two randomized controlled trials and 10 nonrandomized controlled trials were included in the meta- analysis. The results showed that the 3,5-year overall survival rates and 1,3,5 disease-free survival rates were significantly lower after RFA than after HR. However, complications after treatment were less common and the length of hospital stay was significantly shorter after RFA. Additionally, there was no significant difference in the 1-year overall survival rate between RFA and HR. The conclusions of the results show that the difference in the short-term effectiveness of RFA and HR in the treatment of small HCC is not notable, but the long-term efficacy of HR is better than that of RFA. However, HR is associated with more complications and a longer hospital stay.

Radiofrequency ablation: technical and clinical long-term outcomes for single hepatocellular carcinoma up to 30 mm

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Western guidelines consider radiofrequency ablation (RF) as the standard treatment for 'very early' and 'early' hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in nonsurgical cirrhotic patients. RF has also been proposed as the first-line therapy for 'surgical' candidates with a single nodule of 20 mm or less. The aim of this monocentric cohort study was to evaluate the technical and clinical outcomes of RF in the treatment of cirrhotic patients with a single HCC of 30 mm or less.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We included all 209 consecutive patients treated between January 2001 and June 2011. The primary endpoints were the overall survival (OS) rate and safety; the secondary endpoints were primary technique effectiveness, local tumor progression, and the disease-free survival rate.

RESULTS

The 5-year OS rate of the entire sample was 44.3% (95% confidence interval: 36.7-55.8); Child-Pugh class B was the worst negative prognostic factor (hazard ratio: 2.06; P=0.008). A subgroup of 70 Child-Pugh class A patients suitable for surgical resection according to current Western operability criteria showed a 5-year OS rate of 60.6%. Treatment-related mortality and morbidity rates were 0 and 3.4%, respectively. Primary technique effectiveness rate was 95.2% after one to three RF sessions. The 5-year cumulative incidence of local tumor progression was 21.5 and 32.5% for nodules ≤20 and 21-30 mm, respectively. The 5-year disease-free survival rate (comprehensive of any kind of tumor progression or death) was 17.8% (95% confidence interval: 11.1-25.8).

CONCLUSION

RF is an effective and very safe therapy for HCC up to 30 mm; in 'surgical' cirrhotic patients, the OS rate was similar to those reported in surgical series, although the local recurrence rate was higher.

Recent advances in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To provide an up-to-date summary of the recent advances in therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

RECENT FINDINGS

Surgical resection, liver transplantation, and local ablative therapies such as radiofrequency ablation offer potential cure for tumors detected at an early stage in well selected patients. The role of adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy is being investigated, but there is no clear evidence supporting its routine use currently. Some have proposed expanding size criteria for transplantation or downstaging tumors detected beyond an early stage, although benefits must be weighed against harms to others on the waiting list. For intermediate-stage HCC, transarterial chemoembolization is the mainstay of treatment, although there is increasing evidence supporting a role for transarterial radioembolization. For advanced HCC, sorafenib is the only systemic therapy to significantly prolong survival in patients with Child A cirrhosis and good performance status. Ongoing trials are evaluating the role of other targeted therapies in patients with advanced HCC.

SUMMARY

There have been advances in HCC treatment options over the last couple of years and there are now potential therapies for most patients with any stage of disease. Treatment decisions must be individualized after accounting for factors such as degree of liver dysfunction and patient performance status.

Ten-year outcomes of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation as first-line therapy of early hepatocellular carcinoma: analysis of prognostic factors

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The aim was to assess 10-year outcomes of radiofrequency ablation as a first-line therapy of early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma with an analysis of prognostic factors.

METHODS

From April 1999 to April 2011, 1305 patients (male:female=993:312; mean age, 58.4 years) with 1502 early-stage hepatocellular carcinomas (mean size, 2.2 cm) were treated with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation as a first-line option. Follow-up period ranged from 0.4 to 146.6 months (median, 33.4 months). We assessed the 10-year follow-up results of recurrences and survival with the analyses of prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Recurrences occurred in 795 patients (1-17 times), which were managed with various therapeutic modalities. The cumulative local tumor progression rates were 27.0% and 36.9% at 5 and 10 years, respectively, for which the only significant risk factor was large tumor size (B=0.584, p=0.001). Cumulative intrahepatic distant and extrahepatic recurrence rates were 73.1% and 88.5%, and 19.1% and 38.2% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Corresponding overall survival rates were 59.7% and 32.3%, respectively. Poor survival was associated with old age (B=0.043, p=0.010), Child-Pugh class B (B=-1.054, p<0.001), absence of antiviral therapy during follow-up (B=-0.699, p=0.034), and presence of extrahepatic recurrence (B=0.971, p=0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

Ten-year survival outcomes after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation as a first-line therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma were excellent despite frequent tumor recurrences. Overall survival was influenced by age, Child-Pugh class, antiviral therapy, or extrahepatic recurrence.

Current concepts in hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent neoplasms worldwide and in most cases it is associated with liver cirrhosis. Liver resection is considered the most potentially curative therapy for HCC patients when liver transplantation is not an option or is not immediately accessible. This review is aimed at investigating the current concepts that drive the surgical choice in the treatment of HCC in cirrhotic patients; Eastern and Western perspectives are highlighted. An extensive literature review of the last two decades was performed, on topics covering various aspects of hepatic resection. Early post-operative and long-term outcome measures adopted were firstly analyzed in an attempt to define an optimal standardization useful for research comparison. The need to avoid the development of post-hepatectomy liver failure represents the “conditio sine qua non” of surgical choice and the role of the current tools available for the assessment of liver function reserve were investigated. Results of hepatic resection in relationship with tumor burden were compared with those of available competing strategies, namely, radiofrequency ablation for early stages, and trans-arterial chemoembolization for intermediate and advanced stages. Finally, the choice for anatomical versus non-anatomical, as well as the role of laparoscopic approach, was overviewed. The literature review suggests that partial hepatectomy for HCC should be considered in the context of multi-disciplinary evaluation of cirrhotic patients. Scientific research on HCC has moved, in recent years, from surgical therapy toward non-surgical approaches and most of the literature regarding topics debated in the present review is represented by observational studies, whereas very few well-designed randomized controlled trials are currently available; thus, no robust recommendations can be derived.

Meta-analysis of surgical resection and radiofrequency ablation for early hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

There is no definite agreement on the better therapy (radiofrequency ablation (RFA) versus surgical resection (SR)) for early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) eligible for surgical treatments. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the evidence using meta-analytical techniques.

METHODS

A literature search was undertaken until December 2011 to identify comparative studies evaluating survival rates, recurrence rates, and complications. Pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated with either the fixed or random effect model.

RESULTS

Thirteen articles, comprising two randomized controlled trials(RCTs), were included in the review, with a total of 2,535 patients (1,233 treated with SR and 1,302 with RFA). The overall survival rates were significantly higher in patients treated with SR than RFA after1, 3, and 5 years (respectively: OR, 0.60 (95% CI, 0.42 to 0.86); OR, 0.49 (95% CI, 0.36 to 0.65); OR, 0.60 (95% CI, 0.43 to 0.84)). In the SR group, the 1, 3, and 5 years recurrence rates were significantly lower than the RFA group (respectively: OR, 1.48 (95% CI, 1.05 to 2.08); OR, 1.76 (95% CI, 1.49 to 2.08); OR, 1.68 (95% CI, 1.21 to 2.34)). However, local recurrence between two groups did not exhibit significant difference. For HCC ≤ 3 cm in diameter, SR was better than RFA at the 1, 3, and 5 years overall survival rates (respectively: OR, 0.34 (95% CI, 0.13 to 0.89); OR, 0.56 (95% CI, 0.37 to 0.84); OR, 0.44 (95% CI, 0.31 to 0.62)). This meta-analysis indicated that the complication of SR was higher than RFA (OR, 6.25 (95%CI, 3.12 to 12.52); P = 0.000).

CONCLUSION

Although local recurrence between two groups did not exhibit significant difference, SR demonstrated significantly improved survival benefits and lower complications for patients with early HCC, especially for HCC ≤ 3 cm in diameter. These findings should be interpreted carefully, owing to the lower level of evidence.

Cost-effectiveness of semi-annual surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients of the Italian Liver Cancer population

BACKGROUND & AIMS

It was recently shown that semi-annual surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic patients provides a prognostic advantage over the annual program; however, its cost-effectiveness (CE) in the general cirrhotic population still needs to be defined.

METHODS

A Markov model was built to compare CE of these two strategies, considering literature results and treatment modalities of 918 cirrhotic patients from the Italian Liver Cancer (ITA.LI.CA) database.

RESULTS

Results from the Markov model suggest that, compared to annual surveillance, semi-annual surveillance leads to a gain in quality-adjusted life expectancy, in an unselected cirrhotic population, of 1.35 quality-adjusted life-months (QALMs) over 10 years since surveillance start in compensated patients, and of 0.73 QALMs in decompensated patients. Semi-annual surveillance was more cost-effective in compensated than in decompensated cirrhosis, with an incremental CE ratio (ICER) of 1997 and 3814€/QALM, respectively. In compensated cirrhosis, semi-annual surveillance was more cost-effective than the annual program when the annual HCC incidence was ≥3.2% and the relative survival gain after cancer diagnosis was ≥20% with respect to the annual program. In decompensated cirrhosis, semi-annual surveillance was cost-effective in patients amenable to liver transplantation. In both groups, CE of semi-annual surveillance improved with the increase of annual incidence and the survival benefit obtainable with HCC treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Both surveillance strategies for HCC in cirrhotic patients can be recommended, according to the individual risk profile for HCC occurrence and the expected survival gain obtainable after tumor diagnosis and therapy.

QUANTIFICATION AND THE UNDERLYING MECHANISM OF SKIN THERMAL DAMAGE: A REVIEW

Skin thermal damage is the most common thermal trauma in civilian and military communities. Besides, advances in laser, microwave, and similar technologies have led to recent developments of thermal treatments for diseases involving skin tissue aiming at inducing damage precisely within targeted tissue structures without affecting the surrounding healthy tissue. Pain sensation accompanying thermal damage is also a serious problem for burn patients. Therefore, it is of great importance to quantify the thermal damage in skin tissue. In this review, we detail the progress of the state-of-the-art mathematical models and experimental methods for the quantification of thermal damage (both heat damage and cold damage) and the general development of thermal treatments in tissue engineering. This could enable better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of skin thermal damage and the optimization of clinical thermal therapies.

Radiofrequency ablation or percutaneous ethanol injection for the treatment of liver tumors

The liver is a common location of both primary and secondary malignancies. For unresectable liver cancer, many local ablative therapies have been developed. These include e.g., percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), percutaneous acetic acid injection, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), cryoablation, microwave ablation, laser-induced thermotherapy, and high-intensity focused ultrasound. RFA has recently gained interest and is the most widely applied thermoablative technique. RFA allows more effective tumor control in fewer treatment sessions compared with PEI, but with a higher rate of complications. However, there are certain circumstances where PEI therapy represents a better strategy to control liver tumors than RFA, especially in situations where RFA is difficult, for example when large vessels surround the tumor. In the context of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), both RFA and PEI are feasible and of benefit in non-operable patients. RFA seems superior to PEI in HCC > 2 cm, and the combination of interventions may be of benefit in selected patients. Liver resection is superior to RFA for patients with HCC meeting the Milan criteria, but RFA can be employed in tumors ≤ 3 cm and where there is an increased expected operative mortality. In addition, some lines of evidence indicate that RFA and PEI can be employed as a bridge to liver transplantation. The use of RFA in colorectal liver metastases is currently limited to unresectable disease and for patients unfit for surgery. The aim of this article is to summarize the current status of RFA in the management of liver tumors and compare it to the cheap and readily available technique of PEI.

The current role of minimally invasive therapies in the management of liver tumors

This is a review of minimally invasive therapy options for liver tumors, such as highly focused ultrasound, microwave ablation, and irreversible electroporation, as well as new aspects of radiofrequency ablation. Radiofrequency ablation is recommended for patients with early-stage HCC with up to 3 lesions with a tumor diameter within 3 cm and for patients with non-resectable liver metastasis. Indications and contraindications to treatment are designated, and different modalities for image-based therapy guidance are compared. Options for therapy monitoring and controlling are reviewed, namely intraprocedural tools, imaging and functional parameters and their evolution during therapy. Prevention and control of local recurrences is discussed. We also present a short review of current clinical results in treating liver metastasis and primary liver tumors.

Survival in patients with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after primary hepatectomy: comparative effectiveness of treatment modalities

BACKGROUND

Insufficient data are available on the survival of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after primary hepatectomy in patients receiving different treatments. We evaluated retrospectively the effects of treatment modalities on long-term survival.

METHODS

Between 2001 and 2007, 435 posthepatectomy hepatocellular carcinoma patients who developed recurrence were grouped by treatment modality into re-resection, radiofrequency ablation, transarterial chemoembolization, and supportive treatment groups. Treatment strategies for both primary hepatocellular carcinoma and its recurrence were selected using the same criteria. Postrecurrence survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the Cox proportional hazard model with adjusted independent prognostic factors. Survival rates after primary resection without recurrence were also compared.

RESULTS

In re-resection, radiofrequency ablation, transarterial chemoembolization, and supportive treatment groups, the 2-year postrecurrence survival rates were 90%, 96%, 75%, and 20%, respectively, and the 5-year survival rates were 72%, 83%, 56%, and 0%, respectively. The adjusted hazard of death was less for the re-resection and radiofrequency ablation groups than for the transarterial chemoembolization group, and the adjusted hazard ratios for the re-resection and radiofrequency ablation groups were 0.45 (95% confidence interval, 0.20-0.98) and 0.25 (0.08-0.81), respectively. The adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of death for the radiofrequency ablation group compared to the re-resection group was 0.64 (0.19-2.19). Survival in the single resection group did not differ from that in the re-resection and radiofrequency ablation groups.

CONCLUSION

Postrecurrence survival in the re-resection and radiofrequency ablation groups was significantly better than that in the transarterial chemoembolization group and similar to that of patients in the primary resection without recurrence group.

Clinical outcomes of radiofrequency ablation and surgical resection for small hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

To evaluate the evidence comparing radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and surgical resection (RES) on the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using meta-analytical techniques.

METHODS

Literature search was undertaken until March 2011 to identify comparative studies evaluating survival rates, recurrence rates, and complications. Pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated with either the fixed or random effect model.

RESULTS

These studies included a total of 877 patients: 441 treated with RFA and 436 treated with RES. The overall survival was significantly higher in patients treated with RES than RFA at 1, 3 and 5 years (respectively: OR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.29-0.86; OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.28-0.94; OR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.45-0.84). In the RES group the 1, 3, and 5 years recurrence-free survival rates were significantly higher than the RFA group (respectively: OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.44-0.97; OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.47-0.89; OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.35-0.77). RFA had a higher rate of local recurrence (OR: 4.08, 95% CI: 2.03-8.20). For tumors ≤ 3 cm RES was better than RFA in the 3-year overall survival rates (OR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.16-0.89).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical resection was superior to RFA in the treatment of HCC. However, the findings have to be carefully interpreted due to the lower level of evidence.

Which is more cost-effective under the MELD system: primary liver transplantation, or salvage transplantation after hepatic resection or after loco-regional therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma within Milan criteria?

OBJECTIVE

The optimal strategy for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a disease with increasing incidence, in patients with Child-Pugh class A cirrhosis has long been debated. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of hepatic resection (HR) or locoregional therapy (LRT) followed by salvage orthotopic liver transplantation (SOLT) vs. that of primary orthotopic liver transplantation (POLT) for HCC within the Milan Criteria.

METHODS

A Markov-based decision analytic model simulated outcomes, expressed in costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), for the three treatment strategies. Baseline parameters were determined from a literature review. Sensitivity analyses tested model strength and parameter variability.

RESULTS

Both HR and LRT followed by SOLT were associated with earlier recurrence, decreased survival, increased costs and decreased quality of life (QoL), whereas POLT resulted in decreased recurrence, increased survival, decreased costs and increased QoL. Specifically, HR/SOLT yielded 3.1 QALYs (at US$96 000/QALY) and LRT/SOLT yielded 3.9 QALYs (at US$74 000/QALY), whereas POLT yielded 5.5 QALYs (at US$52 000/QALY). Sensitivity analyses supported these findings at clinically meaningful probabilities.

CONCLUSIONS

 Under the Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) system, in patients with HCC within the Milan Criteria, POLT increases survival and QoL at decreased costs compared with HR or LRT followed by SOLT. Therefore, POLT is the most cost-effective strategy for the treatment of HCC.

Acoustic droplet vaporization for enhancement of thermal ablation by high intensity focused ultrasound

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

Acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV) shows promise for spatial control and acceleration of thermal lesion production. The investigators hypothesized that microbubbles generated by ADV could enhance high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) thermal ablation by controlling and increasing local energy absorption.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thermal lesions were produced in tissue-mimicking phantoms using focused ultrasound (1.44 MHz) with a focal intensity of 4000 W · cm(-2) in degassed water at 37°C. The average lesion volume was measured by visible change in optical opacity and by T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. In addition, in vivo HIFU lesions were generated in a canine liver before and after an intravenous injection of droplets with a similar acoustic setup.

RESULTS

Thermal lesions were sevenfold larger in phantoms containing droplets (3 × 10(5) droplets/mL) compared to phantoms without droplets. The mean lesion volume with a 2-second HIFU exposure in droplet-containing phantoms was comparable to that made by a 5-second exposure in phantoms without droplets. In the in vivo study, the average lesion volumes without and with droplets were 0.017 ± 0.006 cm(3) (n = 4; 5-second exposure) and 0.265 ± 0.005 cm(3) (n = 3; 5-second exposure), respectively, a factor of 15 difference. The shape of ADV bubbles imaged with B-mode ultrasound was very similar to the actual lesion shape as measured optically and by magnetic resonance imaging.

CONCLUSION

ADV bubbles may facilitate clinical HIFU ablation by reducing treatment time or requisite in situ total acoustic power and provide ultrasonic imaging feedback of the thermal therapy.

Radiofrequency ablation versus resection for liver tumours: an evidence-based approach to retrospective comparative studies

BACKGROUND

Recently randomized controlled trials have been advocated to compare radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and hepatic resection (HR) in resectable tumours and determine whether differences in observed survivals result from the heterogeneity in previous studies between RFA (treating unresectable lesions) and HR (treating lesions deemed resectable). We reviewed the literature that directly compares the treatments and employed an evidence-based approach to examine the data.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All studies comparing RFA and HR were included. Primary outcomes were the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) at 3 and 5 years. A subgroup analysis was conducted for solitary or small tumors (<4 cm for colorectal metastases (CRM) or <5 cm for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)).

RESULTS

Most studies were retrospective. For CRM, HR was markedly superior to RFA in respect of 3- and 5-year OS as well as 5-year DFS including tumours smaller than 4 cm and solitary lesions. For HCC, HR was markedly superior to RFA for 3- and 5-year OS as well as 3-year DFS, and produced a better OS at 3 years for solitary lesions and DFS at 3 years for small tumours.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple factors determine outcomes following treatment of liver tumours. Small or solitary lesions seem the most appropriate ones to study as this reduces the number of confounding variables, but even in these cases HR confers a better OS and DFS than RFA for both CRM and HCC. If our data are confirmed it will be important to examine other factors influencing the response.