Impact of an ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation training program on the outcomes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

TACE sequential MWA guided by cone-beam computed tomography in the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma under the hepatic dome

PURPOSE

An assessment is being conducted to determine the safety and effectiveness of using Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-guided transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and microwave ablation (MWA) sequentially to treat small hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) located in the hepatic dome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-three patients with small HCCs in the hepatic dome who underwent TACE combined with simultaneous CBCT-guided MWA were studied. Inclusion criteria were a single HCCs ≤ 5.0 cm or a maximum of three. The safety and interventional-related complications were monitored, and local tumor progression (LTP), overall survival (OS), and prognostic factors for LTP/OS were evaluated.

RESULTS

The procedures were successfully accomplished in all patients. According to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), adverse reactions and complications are mainly Grade 1 or 2 (mild symptoms, no or local/noninvasive intervention indicated). Liver and kidney function and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels remained within a reasonable range after 4 weeks of treatment (both p < 0.001). The mean LTP was 44.406 months (95% CI: 39.429, 49.383) and the mean OS rate was 55.157 months (95% CI: 52.559, 57.754). The combination treatment achieved 1-, 3-, and 5-year LTP rates of 92.5%, 69.6%, and 34.5%, respectively; and 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates of 100.0%, 88.4%, and 70.2%, respectively. Results from both univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that the tumor diameter (< 3 cm) and the distance to the hepatic dome (≥ 5 mm, < 10 mm) had a significant impact on the patient's LTP and OS, and were related to better survival.

CONCLUSION

CBCT-guided TACE combined with simultaneous MWA was a safe and successful treatment of HCCs located under the hepatic dome.

Reliability of Stereotactic Radiofrequency Ablation (SRFA) for Malignant Liver Tumors: Novice versus Experienced Operators

PURPOSE

To compare the results of a novice with those of experienced interventional radiologists (IRs) for stereotactic radiofrequency ablation (SRFA) of malignant liver tumors in terms of safety, technical success, and local tumor control.

METHODS

A database, including all SRFA procedures performed in a single center between January 2011 and December 2018 was retrospectively analyzed. A total of 39 ablation sessions performed by a novice IR were compared to the results of three more experienced IRs. Comparative SRFA sessions were selected using propensity score matching considering tumor type, age, sex, tumor size, and tumor number as matching variables. Overall, 549 target tumors were treated in 273 sessions. Median tumor size was 2.2 cm (1.0-8.5 cm) for 178 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and 3.0 cm (0.5-13.0 cm) for 371 metastases. A median of 2 (1-11) tumors were treated per session.

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed when comparing the results of more experienced IRs with those of a novice IR regarding the rates of major complications (6.8% [16/234] vs. 5.1% [2/39]; p = 0.477), mortality (1.3% [2/234] vs. 0% [0/39]; p = 0.690), primary technical efficacy (98.5% [525/533] vs. 98.9% [94/95]; p = 0.735), and local recurrence (5.6% [30/533] vs. 5.3% [5/95]; p = 0.886). However, the median planning/placement time was significantly shorter for the experienced IRs (92 min vs. 119 min; p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

SRFA is a safe, effective, and reliable treatment option for malignant liver tumors and favorable outcomes can be achieved even by inexperienced operators with minimal supervision.

Comparison of Ablation Area and Change in Functional Liver Reserve after Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using the arfa® and VIVA® Systems

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is recommended in Japan for patients with hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) one to three in number and ≤3 cm in size. The arfa^® and VIVA^® RFA systems are widely used for patients with HCC and this retrospective observational study aims to compare their performances. The study included 365 patients with HCCs one to three in number and ≤3 cm in size who underwent RFA using the arfa^® system (arfa^® group) or the VIVA^® system (VIVA^® group). The total bilirubin (T-Bil) level after RFA was higher in the arfa^® group than in the VIVA^® group. With a 3-cm electrode needle, the longest diameter (Dmax) and the shortest diameter were analyzed and found to be greater in the arfa^® group than in the VIVA^® group. Furthermore, Dmax with the 2.5-cm electrode needle was greater in the arfa^® group than in the VIVA^® group. Statistically significant differences in the ablation area and in the T-Bil value after RFA were observed between the groups; however, these differences are not considered clinical problems because the difference in the ablation area was only slight and the Child–Pugh score was the same between the groups. Thus, hepatologists can use either of the RFA systems based on their preference.

Efficacy and safety of percutaneous microwave ablation for hepatocellular carcinomas <4 cm in difficult location

OBJECTIVE

Tumor location is a critical factor for determining technical success and local recurrence following percutaneous ablation of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the safety and outcome measures of percutaneous microwave ablation (pMWA) for HCCs <4 cm in difficult locations.

METHODS

Retrospective review included 81 patients who underwent pMWA for HCCs <4 cm. Fourty-three patients (30 males and 13 females; mean age, 61 years) with 53 HCCs located near the diaphragm, heart, gallbladder, kidney, gastrointestinal tract, large vessel and exophytic location were included under difficult location group. Thirty-eight patients (29 males and nine females; mean age, 60 years) with 48 HCCs in other locations were included under control group. Baseline demographics were recorded. Technical efficacy, local tumor progression (LTP), and complication rates were evaluated.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up period was 3.4 months (range 1-7). There was no major complication in both the groups; two patients had a mild perihepatic hemorrhage in the difficult location group which was managed conservatively. There was no difference between the groups in the overall technical efficacy rate (84.9% vs 91.7%, p = 0.294), LTP rate (4.4% vs 2.2%. p = 0.57) or complication rate (4.6% vs 0%, p = 0.177).

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that there is no significant difference in technical efficacy, LTP or complication rates for MWA in both difficult and normal locations.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

With proper patient selection, pre-procedural planning and appropriate technique, pMWA is feasible, safe, and effective for small HCCs in difficult location with an acceptable range of complications.

Percutaneous ablation of obscure hypovascular liver tumours in challenging locations using arterial CT-portography guidance

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of percutaneous ablation (PA) of obscure hypovascular liver tumors in challenging locations using arterial CT-portography (ACP) guidance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 26 patients with a total of 28 obscure, hypovascular malignant liver tumors were included. There were 18 men and 6 women with a mean age of 58±14 (SD) years (range: 37-75 years). The tumors had a mean diameter of 14±10 (SD) mm (range: 7-24mm) and were intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (4/28; 14%), liver metastases from colon cancer (18/28; 64%), corticosurrenaloma (3/28; 11%) or liver metastases from breast cancer (3/28; 11%). All tumors were in challenging locations including subcapsular (14/28; 50%), liver dome (9/28; 32%) or perihilar (5/28; 18%) locations. A total of 28 PA (12 radiofrequency ablations, 11 microwave ablations and 5 irreversible electroporations) procedures were performed under ACP guidance.

RESULTS

A total of 67 needles [mean: 2.5±1.5 (SD); range: 1-5] were inserted under ACP guidance, with a 100% technical success rate for PA. Median total effective dose was 26.5 mSv (IQR: 19.1, 32.2 mSv). Two complications were encountered (pneumothorax; one abscess both with full recovery), yielding a complication rate of 7%. No significant change in mean creatinine clearance was observed (80.5mL/min at baseline and 85.3mL/min at day 7; P=0.8). Post-treatment evaluation of the ablation zone was overestimated on ACP compared with conventional CT examination in 3/28 tumors (11%). After a median follow-up of 20 months (range: 12-35 months), local tumor progression was observed in 2/28 tumours (7%).

CONCLUSION

ACP guidance is feasible and allows safe and effective PA of obscure hypo-attenuating liver tumors in challenging locations without damaging the renal function and with acceptable radiation exposure. Post-treatment assessment should be performed using conventional CT or MRI to avoid size overestimation of the ablation zone.

Interventional oncology at the time of COVID-19 pandemic: Problems and solutions

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COVID-19 pandemic modifies in-depth interventional oncology practice.

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Identification of aerosol-generating procedures is crucial for safety.

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Curative treatment of cancers should not be delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Solutions to overcome shortage in anesthesiology resources are described.

The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply impacted the activity of interventional oncology in hospitals and cancer centers. In this review based on official recommendations of different international societies, but also on local solutions found in different expert large-volume centers, we discuss the changes that need to be done for the organization, safety, and patient management in interventional oncology. A literature review of potential solutions in a context of scarce anesthesiologic resources, limited staff and limited access to hospital beds are proposed and discussed based on the literature data.