Comparison of ultrasonography-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for subcapsular and nonsubcapsular hepatocellular carcinoma

Anatomical thermal ablation as an alternative to surgical resection for subcapsular hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSE

To simulate the advantages of anatomical resection, a new strategy of anatomical thermal ablation was proposed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical value of anatomical thermal ablation (ATA) to treat subcapsular hepatocellular carcinoma by comparing it with anatomical resection (AR) and non-anatomical resection (NAR).

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study enrolled hepatocellular carcinoma patients with subcapsular tumor diameter ≤ 50 mm treated by ATA or surgical resection at our center from October 2015 to December 2018. ATA features ablation of the Glisson capsule, ablation of the liver parenchyma between the tumor and hepatic veins or inferior vena cava and then puncture from the surrounding part to the central part of the tumor. Outcome parameters were compared.

RESULTS

Seventy-six patients were grouped into ATA group, 95 patients into AR group and 41 patients into NAR group. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year local recurrence rates were 0.0%, 0.0%, 0.0% for ATA group, 0.0%, 1.4%, 1.4% for the AR group and 0.0%, 0.0%, and 0.0% for the NAR group, respectively (P = 0.449). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year progression-free survival rates were 90.6%, 80.9%, and 74.6% for ATA group, 91.5%, 80.2%, and 80.2% for the AR group and 82.9%, 73.8%, and 73.8% for the NAR group, respectively (P = 0.608). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival rates were 100.0%, 95.2%, and 95.2% for the ATA group, 96.8%, 95.6%, and 95.6% for the AR group and 97.6%, 95.0%, and 95.0% for the NAR group, respectively (P = 0.970). No difference was found in major complication rate among these groups (P = 0.091).

CONCLUSION

For subcapsular hepatocellular carcinoma, ATA could be an alternative to surgical resection with its comparable treatment effect and safety.

Microwave ablation versus surgical resection for subcapsular hepatocellular carcinoma: a propensity score-matched study of long-term therapeutic outcomes

OBJECTIVES

The therapeutic efficacy of microwave ablation (MWA) for subcapsular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been well characterized. We aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of MWA and surgical resection (SR) in patients with subcapsular HCC.

METHODS

This retrospective study comprised 321 patients with subcapsular HCC meeting the Milan criteria who received MWA (n = 99) or SR (n = 222). Local tumor progression (LTP), overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed using propensity score matching (PSM) to compare the therapeutic efficacy.

RESULTS

In the total cohort, there were no significant differences in 5-year LTP rates (14.0% vs. 8.9%, p = 0.12), OS rates (70.7% vs. 73.2%, p = 0.63), and DFS rates (38.3% vs. 41.2%, p = 0.22) between the MWA and SR groups. After PSM, the cumulative LTP rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 9.7%, 14.0%, and 16.4% in the MWA group (n = 84) and 7.2%, 8.6%, and 10.6% in the SR group (n = 84), respectively, with no significant difference (p = 0.31). Neither corresponding OS rates (96.4%, 84.8%, and 73.0% vs. 95.2%, 85.5%, and 72.1%, p = 0.89) nor DFS rates (76.0%, 52.6%, and 38.1% vs. 76.2%, 44.7%, and 32.3%, p = 0.43) were significantly different between the MWA and SR groups. Whereas MWA obtained fewer complications for both cohorts (both p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

MWA showed comparable long-term therapeutic outcomes to SR, and it might be an alternative curative option for subcapsular HCC within the Milan criteria.

KEY POINTS

• Microwave ablation showed comparable local tumor progression, overall survival, and disease-free survival to surgical resection for subcapsular hepatocellular carcinoma meeting the Milan criteria. • Microwave ablation obtained fewer complications and shorter postoperative hospital stay.

I-125 seeds brachytherapy with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for subcapsular hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

I-125 seeds brachytherapy (ISB) has been used to improve the clinical effectiveness of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aim to appraise the safety and clinical efficacy of combined ISB and TACE for the treatment of subcapsular HCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective investigative study extending from January 2017 to December 2020, involved individuals suffering from subcapsular HCC, who were subjected to TACE treatment with or without ISB in our center. The clinical effectiveness was compared between 2 groups.

RESULTS

Sixty-four patients, in total, with subcapsular HCC had to undergo TACE with (n = 32) or without (n = 32) ISB in our center. After CT-guided ISB, only 2 (6.3%) patients experienced a self-limited pneumothorax. Combined treatment resulted in a significantly higher complete response (56.3% vs. 18.8%, P = 0.002) and total response (90.7% vs. 59.4%, P = 0.004) rates than that of TACE alone. In comparison to the TACE alone group, the median progression-free survival was substantially longer in the combined treatment group (11 months vs. 5 months, P = 0.016). Further, 15 and 28 patients in combined and TACE alone groups respectively died within the follow-up. The median OS was comparable between combined and TACE alone groups (22 months vs. 18 months, P = 0.529).

CONCLUSIONS

Combined TACE and ISB therapy is a safe treatment method for individuals suffering from subcapsular HCC. When compared, combined treatment had significantly enhanced clinical efficacy as a subcapsular HCC therapy, in comparison to TACE alone.

A review on treatments of hepatocellular carcinoma—role of radio wave ablation and possible improvements

Background

Currently, several treatment options are available for liver cancer depending on various factors such as location, size, shape, and liver function. Image fusion is required for the diagnosis, intervention, and follow-up of certain HCCs. Presently, mental fusion is the only way while diagnosing liver lesions by comparing the ultrasound (US) image with the computed tomography (CT) image. Nevertheless, mental fusion is bound to have errors. The objective of this paper is to study the present treatment options for hepatocellular carcinoma and review the present treatment options, list out their potential limitations, and present a possible alternative solution based on the findings to reduce errors and mistargeting.

Methods

This is a systematic review on the present treatment options for hepatocellular carcinoma, especially radio wave ablation.

Results

It is found that computer fusion is the possible alternative to the present mental registration.

Conclusions

Although computer fusion is the best alternative to use radio wave ablation, there have been a few open-ended questions to further explore.

The effect of tumor location on long-term results of microwave ablation for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

To analyze the influence of tumor location, including tumor adjacency and located segments on long-term survival outcomes for patients with solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after microwave ablation (MWA).

METHODS

This retrospective study evaluated 850 patients. The hepatic segments where the tumor is located, tumor adjacency (important tissues adjacent to tumor) and other clinical characteristics were collected. Overall survival (OS), local tumor progression (LTP) and disease-free survival (DFS) were compared and analyzed. Influence of tumor location was evaluated by multi-models and the effect of adjacency for OS, LTP, and DFS in different segments was analyzed by stratification analysis.

RESULTS

The OS, LTP, and DFS rates were similar in different hepatic segments, so were in high risk and safe locations. In multi-models, HCC in segment 8 showed lower death rate of 43% than that in segment 2 (HR 0.57; P = 0.01) and tumors in segment 6 seemed to have lower LTP rate. Tumors in high-risk locations were risk factors for OS, LTP, and DFS compared with tumors in safe locations, but all differences were not significant in different models. The effects of tumor adjacency on survival outcomes among subgroups of segments were limited.

CONCLUSION

The tumor adjacency was not a prognostic factor of survival outcomes for patients with solitary tumors after MWA, but tumors in segment 8 seemed to better OS rate than tumors in other segments.

The Learning Curve for Thermal Ablation of Liver Cancers: 4,363-Session Experience for a Single Central in 18 Years

This study aimed to explore the special efforts required to achieve proficiency in performing thermal ablation of liver cancers, including tumors in difficult locations, and clarify the effects of handing-down teaching on the corresponding process. Major complications of patients receiving percutaneous thermal ablation of liver cancer were analyzed. Polynomial fitting was used to describe the connection between major complication rates and special experience. Learning curve of major complications was plotted both for the whole group and for each operator, respectively. Tumors in difficult locations were further studied. A total of 4,363 thermal ablation sessions were included in this study. 143 of 4,363 patients had major complications, corresponding to an incidence rate of 3.27%. 806 thermal ablation sessions were performed for tumors in difficult locations. The major complication rate of these sessions is 6.33%. According to the trend of the learning curve of the 4363 patients, the experience of the whole group can be classified into five stages, that is, the high-risk, relatively stable, unstable, proficient and stable periods. A learning curve for an individual operator can be classified into the high-risk, proficient and stable periods. The major complication rates for the chronologically first, second and third operator of the group are 3.23, 3.35, and 3.31%, respectively. The special experience needed to bypass the first stage corresponds to 410, 510, and 440 sessions, the second stage, 1850, 850, and 870 sessions, by the three operators, respectively. The major complication rates for the tumors in difficult locations for the first, second and third operator were 7.04, 5.53, and 5.98%, respectively. For the tumors in difficult locations, the special experience needed to bypass the first stage corresponds to 150, 130, and 140 sessions, the second stage, 290, 175, and 185 sessions, by the three operators, respectively. In conclusion, the learning process of an operator percutaneous thermal ablation for liver cancer can be classified into three stages. The major complication rate for tumors in difficult locations were higher than that for all tumors. Handing-down teaching can make an operator arrive at the third stage earlier but not the second stage.

Computed tomography-guided radiofrequency ablation combined with transarterial embolization assisted by a three-dimensional visualization ablation planning system for hepatocellular carcinoma in challenging locations: a preliminary study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of computed tomography-guided radiofrequency ablation(CT-RFA) combined with transarterial embolization(TAE) assisted by a three-dimensional visualization ablation planning system(3DVAPS) for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) in challenging locations.

METHODS

Data from 62 treatment-naive patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), with 83 lesions in challenging locations, and who met the Milan criteria and underwent CT-RFA between June 2013 and June 2016 were reviewed. Patients were divided into one of two groups according to different treatment modalities: study group (TAE combined with RFA assisted by 3DVAPS [n = 32]); and control (RFA only [n = 30]). Oncological outcomes included ablation-related complications, local tumor progression (LTP), and overall survival (OS). Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed to assess risk factors associated with LTP and OS.

RESULTS

HCC lesions (mean size, 1.9 ± 1.0 mm in diameter) abutting the gastrointestinal tract (n = 25), heart and diaphragm (n = 21), major vessels (n = 13), and gallbladder (n = 3) were treated. A significant difference was detected in LTP between the two groups (P = 0.034), with no significant difference in OS between the two groups (P = 0.193). There were no severe complications related to ablation. Univariate analysis revealed that sex (P = 0.046) and child-turcotte-pugh (CTP) grade (P<0.001) were risk factors for OS, whereas CTP grade and treatment method (P<0.001) were risk factors for LTP. Multivariate analysis revealed that CTP grade B (P = 0.005) was independently associated with poor OS, and RFA alone (P<0.001) was independently associated with poor LTP.

CONCLUSION

CT-RFA combined with TAE assisted by a 3DVAPS provided ideal clinical efficiency for HCC in challenging locations and was a highly safe treatment modality.

Risk factors for hemoglobinuria after ultrasonography-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for large hepatic cavernous hemangiomas

Thermal ablation of large hepatic cavernous hemangiomas may lead to intravascular hemolysis, hemoglobinuria, and even acute renal failure. This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with hemoglobinuria after ultrasonography-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for large hepatic cavernous hemangiomas. In our study, 11 related risk factors were analyzed using univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression model and Receiver operating characteristic curves to determine the contribution to hemoglobinuria after microwave ablation for 49 patients with 51 hepatic cavernous hemangiomas. By multivariate analysis, the ablation time (p = 0.021; Odds Ratio, 1.005), and the number of antenna insertions (p = 0.036; Odds Ratio, 3.568) were the independent risk factors associated with hemoglobinuria. The cutoff value for ablation time and the number of antenna insertions in predicting the presence of hemoglobinuria was 1185s (sensitivity, 75%; specificity, 69%) and 4.5 (sensitivity, 55%; specificity, 83%), respectively. Less than 5 of antenna insertions and less than 20 mins of ablation time may therefore be recommended in patients with microwave ablation of large hepatic cavernous hemangiomas, in order to reduce the occurrence of hemoglobinuria. This is the first report about the risk factors analysis associated with hemoglobinuria after thermal ablation for large hepatic cavernous hemangiomas.