Liver resection versus radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation and surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of surgical resection (RES) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with cirrhosis and to evaluate short- and long-term clinical outcomes.

METHODS

The EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Control Trials and Medline databases were searched for comparative studies of RES and RFA in HCC patients with cirrhosis from inception until 30 April 2021. Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), local recurrence rate, complication rate, hospitalization duration and operation time were compared between the 2 groups. Begg's funnel plot and Egger's test were performed to assess publication bias.

RESULTS

A total of 16 studies met our inclusion criteria, including 1 randomized controlled trial. A total of 3760 patients were included, of which 2007 received RES and 1753 received RFA. The results showed that the 3-year OS rate, 5-year OS rate, 1-year DFS rate and 3-year DFS rate in the RFA group compared with the RES treatment group were significantly lower, and the local recurrence rate in the RFA group was significantly higher than that in the RES group. Compared with the RES group, the RFA group had lower postoperative complication rates, shorter operative times, and no significant difference in hospitalization duration. Subgroup analysis of laparoscopic RFA showed that there was no significant difference in 1- and 5-year OS rates and 3-year and 5-year DFS rates between the 2 groups, while the 3-year OS rates and 1-year DFS rates in the RES group were better than those in the laparoscopic RFA group.

CONCLUSION

Surgery is widely applied among HCC patients with cirrhosis, providing acceptable short- and long-term results.

Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization Combined with Simultaneous Cone-beam Computed Tomography-guided Microwave Ablation in the Treatment of Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Clinical Experiences From 50 Procedures

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

To investigate the technical success, safety and outcomes of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with simultaneous cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-guided microwave ablation (MWA) in small hepatocellular carcinoma (SHCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 66 lesions in 50 patients (38 men, 12 women) who underwent TACE combined with simultaneous CBCT-guided MWA for SHCC. After 1 month of treatment, the tumor responses were assessed using the mRECIST criteria, along with interventional-related complications and changes in hepatic and renal function. Moreover, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated.

RESULTS

All patients achieved technical success. The mean target tumor size was 3.4 ± 0.7 (range, 2.2-4.9) cm. The mean energy, ablation duration per tumor, and the mean safety margin were 51.3  ±  8.4  kJ, 6.7  ±  0.8  minutes and 1.4 ± 0.6 cm, respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year PFS rates were 90.0%, 65.4%, and 35.7%, respectively, with a mean PFS of 43.46 months; and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 98.0%, 89.8%, and 74.3%, respectively, with a mean OS of 54.90 months. Multivariate Cox regression analysis further illustrated that TACE combined with MWA in the treatment of a single tumor with a diameter of less than 3 cm was an independent protective factor for PFS and OS (p < 0.001). The patients had no major complications. Among the exceptions, one patient (2%) had an asymptomatic perihepatic effusion that resolved spontaneously, two patients (4%) developed massive right pleural effusion, requiring thoracic drainage, and another patient (2%) developed a hepatic subcapsular hemorrhage required interventional embolization.

CONCLUSION

CBCT-guided TACE combined with simultaneous MWA was a safe and successful treatment of SHCC with a high technical efficacy.

Radiofrequency ablation versus laparoscopic hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma: A real world single center study

BACKGROUND

Both radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) are minimally invasive approach for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at early stage. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of RFA and LH for treating HCC with a large cohort.

METHODS

From March 2014 to July 2016, 477 patients who underwent RFA (n = 314) or LH (n = 163) for HCC tumors meeting the criteria were included. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were compared. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance for the factors that may affect the choice of treatment.

RESULTS

Collectively, the 1-, 2- and 3-year OS rates were significantly greater after LH than RFA, as well the corresponding RFS rates, before and after PSM by 2:1. However, the RFA group had fewer major complications (P=0.004), shorter postoperative stays (P=0.023) and lower hospital charges (P<0.001) than the LH group. In the subgroup analysis, RFA demonstrated comparable RFS in treating less than 3 cm tumor (P=0.22) located in noncentral bisection (SII, SIII, SVI, SVII) and tumor between 3 cm and 5 cm (P=0.07) located in central bisections (SIV, SV, SVIII). The female, HBV infection, and RFA are factors of worse OS, and the latter two factors also indicated higher RFS.

CONCLUSIONS

Though, LH possessed superior intrahepatic control rate than RFA in most condition of tumor smaller than 5 cm, the RFA could be an optimal approach achieved comparable outcomes in patients with centrally located HCC, with fewer major complications, shorter postoperative stays and lower hospital charges.

Potential application of ultrasound-guided thermal ablation in rare liver tumors

BACKGROUND

With the advances of imaging techniques, the detection rate of rare liver tumor is increased. However, the therapeutic strategies of the rare liver tumors remain limited.

METHODS

We analyzed twelve pathologically confirmed rare liver tumors in 8 patients. All of the patients underwent ultrasound (US) guided biopsy and subsequent thermal ablation. The tumors were ablated according to the preoperative plans and monitored by real-time US. CT/MRI fused with contrast enhanced US (CEUS) or three-dimensional (3D) US-CEUS images were used to guide and assess the ablation zone more accurately during thermal ablation. The rate of technical efficacy was assessed based on the contrast-enhance CT/MRI (CECT/MRI) results one month after ablation. Local tumor progression (LTP), recurrence and complications were followed up and recorded.

RESULTS

Among these twelve nodules, nine were subject to US-guided thermal ablation, whereas the other three inconspicuous nodules were subject to CEUS-guided thermal ablation. Intra-procedure CT/MRI-CEUS or 3D US-CEUS fusion imaging assessments demonstrated that the ablation zone sufficiently covered the original tumor, and no immediate supplementary ablation was required. Additionally, no major complications were observed during the follow-up period. The postoperative CECT/MRI confirmed that the technique success rate was 100%. Within the surveillance period of 13 months, no LTP or recurrence was noted.

CONCLUSIONS

US-guided thermal ablation was feasible and safe for rare liver tumors. The use of fusion imaging technique might make US-guided thermal ablation as effective as surgical resection, and this technique might serve as a potential therapeutic modality for rare liver tumors in the future.

Liver resection versus radiofrequency ablation for hepatitis B virus-related small hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

To compare the outcomes of liver resection (LR) with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

A total of 122 HBV-related small HCC patients who underwent LR (n=64) or RFA (n=58) were involved in this retrospective study. Their basic clinical data, postoperative complications, survival outcomes, and prognostic factors were compared and analyzed.

Results

Patients in the LR group had more serious complications (11 versus 0) and longer postoperative hospital stays (11.3 versus 6.0 days) than those in the RFA group (all P<0.05). LR was associated with better recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates at 1, 3, and 5 years compared with RFA (90.4%, 65.9%, and 49.5% versus 79.3%, 50.3%, and 35.6%, P=0.037), but there was no significant difference in overall survival (OS) (95.2%, 78.1%, 58.6% versus 93.1%, 71.3%, 52.9%, P=0.309). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that the hepatic cirrhosis (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.13), tumor number (HR: 3.73), tumor diameter (HR: 1.92), and postoperative anti-HBV therapy (HR: 0.53) had predictive values for RFS, and the latter three (HR: 4.34, 2.30, and 0.44) were independent predictors of OS (all P<0.05).

Conclusion

LR might be considered the preferred method for patients with HBV-related small HCC, while RFA could apply to selective cases. Anti-HBV therapy after treatment was recommended.

Salvage resection for recurrent or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma after percutaneous ablation therapy

INTRODUCTION

To retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of salvage resection(SR) for recurrence or metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after initial percutaneous ablation therapy (PAT).

METHODS

From September 2006 to September 2013, 50 consecutive patients who received SR for recurrent or metastatic HCC undergone initial PAT were enrolled. Safety and efficacy of SR for these patients were analyzed.

RESULTS

No treatment-related death occurred. Curative outcome was achieved in all the patients. The median overall survival after SR was 40 months, and the 1-, 3-, 5-year overall survival rate after SR was 85.2%, 46.4% and 34.8%, respectively. The disease-free survival was 38.6% at 1 year and 12.1% at 3 years after SR.

CONCLUSION

SR is an effective and safe method for patients with recurrent or metastatic HCC after initial PAT treatment.

First Experience of Ultrasound-guided Percutaneous Ablation for Recurrent Hepatoblastoma after Liver Resection in Children

This study aimed to summarize the first experience with ultrasound-guided percutaneous ablation treatment (PAT) for recurrent hepatoblastoma (HB) after liver resection in children. From August 2013 to October 2014, PAT was used to treat 5 children with a total of 8 recurrent HB (mean size, 1.4 ± 0.8 cm; size range, 0.7–3.1 cm), including 4 patients with 7 tumors in the liver and 1 patient with 1 tumor in the lung. Technical success was achieved in all patients (5/5, 100%). The complete ablation rate after the first ablation session was 80% (4/5) on a patient-by-patient basis and 87.5% (7/8) on a tumor-by-tumor basis. Only 1 patient developed a fever with temperature >39 °C; it lasted 4 days after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and was resolved by conservative therapy. During the follow-up period, new intrahepatic recurrences after PAT were detected in two patients. One died due to tumor progression 4 months after ablation. The median overall survival time after PAT was 13.8 months. PAT is a safe and promising therapy for children with recurrent HB after liver resection, and further investigation in large-scale randomized clinical trials is required to determine its role in the treatment of this disease.

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.

Relationship between postoperative imaging findings and therapeutic effect in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma after ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation

AIM: To investigate the relationship between postoperative imaging findings and therapeutic effect in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma after ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA).

METHODS: Thirty-six patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma who undersent ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation were selected. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotrans-ferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBIL), albumin (ALB), and alpha fetal protein (AFP) as well as imaging findings were retrospectively analyzed (1 day before, 7, 14 and 28 d after PRFA).

RESULTS: The levels of ALT and AST were significantly higher on day 7 after PRFA than on day 1 before PRFA (102.21 U/L ± 53.41 U/L vs 55.34 U/L ± 36.57 U/L, 90.58 U/L ± 37.22 U/L vs 65.77 U/L ± 40.29 U/L), and they decreased to preoperative levels on day 14. Patients with an AFP level decreased by ≥ 50% on day 28 showed complete ablation of the tumors on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and high echo area with liquefaction and no blood flow in the center of the lesions on ultrasound. Patients with elevated AFP values showed incomplete ablation of the tumors on MRI and incomplete high echo area with blood flow on ultrasound. The effective rate of PRFA was higher than 60% when the levels of AFP were used as evaluation criterion. The 3-year survival rate was 68%. The median survival time was 38.09 mo.

CONCLUSION: The imaging findings can well reflect the changes of serum markers and recurrence in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma after ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation. Imaging examinations can be used as an effective approach for the detection of recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma.