Radiofrequency ablation for single hepatocellular carcinoma 3 cm or less as first-line treatment

AIM:To evaluate long-term outcomes of radiofrequency(RF) ablation as first-line therapy for single hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) ≤ 3 cm and to determine survival and prognostic factors.METHODS:We included all 184 patients who underwent RF ablation as a first-line treatment for single HCC ≤ 3 cm between April 2005 and December 2013.According to the criteria of Livraghi,the 184 patients were divided into two groups:those suitable for surgical resection(84 cases) and those unsuitable for surgical resection(100 cases).The primary endpoints were the overall survival(OS) rate and safety;the secondary endpoints were primary technique effectiveness and recurrence rate.RESULTS:There were 19(10.3%) cases of ablation related minor complications.The complete tumor ablation rate after one RF session was 97.8%(180/184).The rate of local tumor progression,extrahepatic metastases and intrahepatic distant recurrence were 4.9%(9/184),9.8%(18/184) and 37.5%(69/184),respectively.In the 184 patients,the 1-,3-,and 5-year OS rates were 99.5%,81.0%,and 62.5%,respectively.The 1-,3-,and 5-year OS rates were 100%,86.9%,and 71.4%,respectively,in those suitable for surgical resection and 99.0%,76.0%,and 55.0%,respectively,in those unsuitable for surgical resection(P = 0.021).On univariate and multivariate analyses,poorer OS was associated with Child-Pugh B class and portal hypertension(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:RF ablation is a safe and effective treatment for single HCC ≤ 3 cm.The OS rate of patients suitable for surgical resection was similar to those reported in surgical series.

Endoscopic ultrasound guided radiofrequency ablation,for pancreatic cystic neoplasms and neuroendocrine tumors

AIM: To outline the feasibility, safety, adverse events and early results of endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)-radiofrequency ablation(RFA) in pancreatic neoplasms using a novel probe. METHODS: This is a multi-center, pilot safety feasibility study. The intervention described was radiofrequency ablation(RF) which was applied with an innovative monopolar RF probe(1.2 mm Habib EUS-RFA catheter) placed through a 19 or 22 gauge fine needle aspiration(FNA) needle once FNA was performed in patients with a tumor in the head of the pancreas. The HabibTM EUSRFA is a 1 Fr wire(0.33 mm, 0.013") with a working length of 190 cm, which can be inserted through the biopsy channel of an echoendoscope. RF power is applied to the electrode at the end of the wire to coagulate tissue in the liver and pancreas.RESULTS: Eight patients [median age of 65(range 27-82) years; 7 female and 1 male] were recruited in a prospective multicenter trial. Six had a pancreatic cysticneoplasm(four a mucinous cyst, one had intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm and one a microcystic adenoma) and two had a neuroendocrine tumors(NET) in the head of pancreas. The mean size of the cystic neoplasm and NET were 36.5 mm(SD ± 17.9 mm) and 27.5 mm(SD ± 17.7 mm) respectively. The EUSRFA was successfully completed in all cases. Among the 6 patients with a cystic neoplasm, post procedure imaging in 3-6 mo showed complete resolution of the cysts in 2 cases, whilst in three more there was a 48.4% reduction [mean pre RF 38.8 mm(SD ± 21.7 mm) vs mean post RF 20 mm(SD ± 17.1 mm)] in size. In regards to the NET patients, there was a change in vascularity and central necrosis after EUS-RFA. No major complications were observed within 48 h of the procedure. Two patients had mild abdominal pain that resolved within 3 d. CONCLUSION: EUS-RFA of pancreatic neoplasms with a novel monopolar RF probe was well tolerated in all cases. Our preliminary data suggest that the procedure is straightforward and safe. The response ranged from complete resolution to a 50% reduction in size.

Percutaneous ethanol injection, radiofrequency and their combination in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM： To evaluate the therapeutic effect and the indication of percutaneous ethanol injection （PEI）, radiofrequency ablation （RFA） and their combination in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. METHODS： Two hundred and fifty-five patients with HCC received treatment of PEI, RFA or their combination. Group1 （〈 3 on in diameter, n=85） was treated with PEI, group2 （〈 3 cm in diameter, n=153） with RFA. Group3 （〉3 cm in diameter, n=86） was divided into two groups. Group 3a （/7=34） was treated with RFA, while group 3b （n=52） was treated with RFA for 2 wk after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization or PEI. Contrast-enhanced sonography was performed for 61 patients before and after RFA. Liver function and serum alpha-fetoprotein （AFP） were measured for all patients. Changes of the lesions on ultrasound and contrast-enhanced CT/HRI were evaluated for assessing the therapeutic responses. The 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were recorded after treatment. RESULTS： In group 1, the complete necrosis rate of lesions after 1 mo was 77.6% （66/85）. The level of AFP declined conspicuously after 1 mo. The 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year survival rate after treatment was 80.0% （52/65）, 60.4% （32/53）, 52.5% （21/40） and 33.3% （7/21）, respectively. In group 2, the complete necrosis rate of lesions after 1 moh was 92.2% （141/153）. The level of AFP decreased conspicuously after i mo. The 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year survival rate after treatment was 94.6% （88/93）, 73.2% （52/71）, 63.5% （33/52） and 46.4% （13/28）, respectively. In group 3a, the complete necrosis rate of lesions after 1 mo was 23.5% （8/34）. AFPdropped down to the normal level in only one patient after 1 mo. The 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rate after treatment was 47.6% （10/21）, 42.9% （6/14） and 27.3% （3/11）, respectively. Only one patient was still alive after 5 years. In group 3b, the complete necrosis rate of lesions after 1 mo was 57.7% （30/52）. The level of AFP decreased after 1 mo. The 1-, 2-, 3- and S-year survival rate after treatment was 68.6% （24/35）, 46.2% （12/26）, 36.8% （7/19） and 27.3% （3/11）, respectively. CONCLUSION： The therapeutic effect of RFA on small HCC is better than that of PEI. Small HCC is the optimal indication of RFA. For recurrent HCC （diameter〉3 cm）, the combined treatment of RFA and PEI/ACE should be used.

Advances in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma(CCA) is a malignancy of the bileducts that carries high morbidity and mortality. Patients with CCA typically present with obstructive jaundice, and associated complications of CCA include cholangitis and biliary sepsis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) is a valuable treatment modality for patients with CCA, as it enables internal drainage of blocked bile ducts and hepatic segments by using plastic or metal stents. While there remains debate as to if bilateral(or multi-segmental) hepatic drainage is required and/or superior to unilateral drainage, the underlying tenant of draining any persistently opacified bile ducts is paramount to good ERCP practice and good clinical outcomes. Endoscopic therapy for malignant biliary strictures from CCA has advanced to include ablative therapies via ERCP-directed photodynamic therapy(PDT) or radiofrequency ablation(RFA). While ERCP techniques cannot cure CCA, advancements in the field of ERCP have enabled us to improve upon the quality of life of patients with inoperable and incurable disease. ERCP-directed PDT has been used in lieu of brachytherapy to provide neoadjuvant local tumor control in patients with CCA who are awaiting liver transplantation. Lastly, mounting evidence suggests that palliative ERCP-directed PDT, and probably ERCPdirected RFA as well, offer a survival advantage to patients with this difficult-to-treat malignancy.

Assessment of radiofrequency ablation margin by MRI-MRI image fusion in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM:To investigate the feasibility and clinical value of magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)-MRI image fusion in assessing the ablative margin(AM) for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:A newly developed ultrasound workstation for MRI-MRI image fusion was used to evaluate the AM of 62 tumors in 52 HCC patients after radiofrequency ablation(RFA).The lesions were divided into two groups:group A,in which the tumor was completely ablated and 5 mm AM was achieved(n = 32);and group B,in which the tumor was completely ablated but 5 mm AM was not achieved(n = 29).To detect local tumor progression(LTP),all patients were followed every two months by contrast-enhanced ultrasound,contrast-enhanced MRI or computed tomography(CT) in the first year after RFA.Then,the follow-up interval was prolonged to every three months after the first year.RESULTS:Of the 62 tumors,MRI-MRI image fusion was successful in 61(98.4%);the remaining case had significant deformation of the liver and massive ascites after RFA.The time required for creating image fusion and AM evaluation was 15.5 ± 5.5 min(range:8-22 min) and 9.6 ± 3.2 min(range:6-14 min),respectively.The follow-up period ranged from 1-23 mo(14.2 ± 5.4 mo).In group A,no LTP was detected in 32 lesions,whereas in group B,LTP was detected in 4 of 29 tumors,which occurred at 2,7,9,and 15 mo after RFA.The frequency of LTP in group B(13.8%;4/29) was significantly higher than that in group A(0/32,P = 0.046).All of the LTPs occurred in the area in which the 5 mm AM was not achieved.CONCLUSION:The MRI-MRI image fusion using an ultrasound workstation is feasible and useful for evaluating the AM after RFA for HCC.

Comparison of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation and CyberKnife®for initial solitary hepatocellular carcinoma:A pilot study

AIM To compare therapeutic outcomes and adverseevents in initial solitary hepatocellular carcinoma（HCC） treated with radiofrequency ablation （RFA） andCyberKnife？.METHODS： Seventy three consecutive patients withinitial solitary HCC treated with RFA （38 patients;RFA group） and CyberKnife （35 patients; CK group）were enrolled in this study. Background factorswere compared between the two groups. Local andintrahepatic distant recurrence control, and cumulativesurvival rates were compared between the two groups.These were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method,and the significance of differences was analyzed by log-rank test. The presence of more grade 3 on CTCAE ver.4.0 early and late adverse events was investigated.RESULTS： In background factors, age was significantlyhigher （P = 0.005） and the tumor diameter wassignificantly larger （P = 0.001） in the CK group. The1-year local recurrence control rates were 97.4%and 97.1% in the RFA and CK groups, respectively （P= 0.71）; the 1-year intrahepatic distant recurrencecontrol rates were 85.6% and 86.1%, respectively （P= 0.91）; and the 1-year cumulative survival rates were100% and 95.2%, respectively （P = 0.075）, showingno significant difference in any rate between the twogroups. There were no late adverse event in the RFAgroup, but 11.4% in the CK group had late adverseevents. In the CK group, the Child-Pugh score at 12 moafter treatment was significantly higher than that in theRFA group （P = 0.003） and significantly higher than thescore before treatment （P = 0.034）.CONCLUSION： The occurrence of adverse events is aconcern, but CyberKnife treatment is likely to becomean important option for local treatment of early HCC.

Role of radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), one of the most advanced loco-regional ablative therapeutic methods, is widely utilized in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Because of its minimal invasiveness and high efficacy, RFA has been regarded as a curative therapy as alternative to surgical resection and liver transplantation. It brings new hope and a new treatment pattern for small HCC. In this article, we summarize the important role of RFA in the treatment of small HCC according to our clinical experience over six years. The prognosis of small HCC after RFA is comparable to that of surgical resection but with higher safety, less complications, wider applicability, and good long-term survival. RFA will play a more and more important role in the clinical treatment of small HCC.

Endoscopic options for treatment of dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus

Recent advances in the endoscopic treatment of dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus(BE) have allowed endoscopists to provide effective and durable eradication therapies. This review summarizes the available endoscopic eradication techniques for dysplasia in patients with BE including endoscopic mucosal resection, endoscopic submucosal dissection, photodynamic therapy, argon plasma coagulation, radiofrequency ablation and cryotherapy.

Risk factors affecting the Barrett's metaplasia-dysplasia-neoplasia sequence

Esophageal adenocarcinoma has the fastest growing incidence rate of any cancer in the United States, and currently carries a very poor prognosis with 5 years relative survival rates of less than 15%. Current curative treatment options are limited to esophagectomy, a procedure that suffers from high complication rates and high mortality rates. Metaplasia of the esophageal epithelium, a condition known as Barrett's esophagus(BE), is widely accepted as the precursor lesion for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Recently, radiofrequency ablation has been shown to be an effective method to treat BE, although there is disagreement as to whether radio-frequency ablation should be used to treat all patients with BE or whether treatment should be reserved for those at high risk for progressing to esophageal adenocarcinoma while continuing to endoscopically survey those with low risk. Recent research has been targeted towards identifying those at greater risk for progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma so that radio-frequency ablation therapy can be used in a more targeted manner, decreasing the total health care cost as well as improving patient outcomes. This review discusses the current state of the literature regarding risk factors for progression from BE through dysplasia to esophageal adenocarcinoma, as well as the current need for an integrated scoring tool or risk stratification system capable of differentiating those patients at highest risk of progression in order to target these endoluminal therapies.

Radiofrequency ablation of the connections between two atriums in dogs

Objective:To observetheelectrophysiologicalchangesafterblockageof theconnectionsbetweentwo atriumsin dogs.Methods :Theatrialeffectiverefractoryperiods,itsdispersionsandtheconductivetimesbetween atriumsweremeasuredandcomparedbeforeandaftertheinteratrialblockagein tendogs.Results:The atrial effectiverefractoryperiodsand its dispersionsnonsignificantlychanged,but its conductivetimessignificantly prolonged(P<0.01),P wavedurationin electrocardiogramalsoprolonged(P<0.05).Conclusion:Atrialactivation patterncouldbecomechangeby theblockageof theconnectionsof atriumsand theprolongedP wave duration mightbe regardedas a surrogateto indicatesuccessfulblockage.