Intraoperative radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma in 112 patients with cirrhosis: a surgeon's view

Benefits and drawbacks of radiofrequency ablation via percutaneous or minimally invasive surgery for treating hepatocellular carcinoma

The management of early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents significant challenges. While radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has shown safety and effectiveness in treating HCC, with lower mortality rates and shorter hospital stays, its high recurrence rate remains a significant impediment. Consequently, achieving improved survival solely through RFA is challenging, particularly in retrospective studies with inherent biases. Ultrasound is commonly used for guiding percutaneous RFA, but its low contrast can lead to missed tumors and the risk of HCC recurrence. To enhance the efficiency of ultrasound-guided percutaneous RFA, various techniques such as artificial ascites and contrast-enhanced ultrasound have been developed to facilitate complete tumor ablation. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) offers advantages over open surgery and has gained traction in various surgical fields. Recent studies suggest that laparoscopic intraoperative RFA (IORFA) may be more effective than percutaneous RFA in terms of survival for HCC patients unsuitable for surgery, highlighting its significance. Therefore, combining MIS-IORFA with these enhanced percutaneous RFA techniques may hold greater significance for HCC treatment using the MIS-IORFA approach. This article reviews liver resection and RFA in HCC treatment, comparing their merits and proposing a trajectory involving their combination in future therapy.

Technique efficacy and complications after ablation as first surgical intervention for hepatocellular carcinoma: A nationwide database study

INTRODUCTION

Despite limited evidence, technique efficacy and complications may be important short-term outcomes after ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to report these outcomes after ablation as the first surgical intervention for HCC.

METHODS

This nationwide cohort study was based on data from the Danish Liver and Biliary Duct Cancer Database and medical records. Variables associated with outcomes were investigated using logistic regression.

RESULTS

From 2013 to 2023, 433 patients were included of which 79% were male, 73% had one tumor, and 90% had cirrhosis. Complete ablation was achieved after percutaneous, laparoscopic, and open approach in 84%, 100%, and 96% of the procedures, respectively. Most patients did not experience complications (76%). Open ablation compared with percutaneous was associated with higher risk of complications in multivariable adjusted analysis (Clavien-Dindo grade 2-5 (odds ratio 5.34, 95% confidence interval [2.36; 12.08]) and 3B-5 (5.70, [2.03; 16.01]), and lower risk of incomplete ablation (0.19 [0.05; 0.65]). Number of tumors ≥3 was associated with a higher risk of incomplete ablation (3.88, [1.45; 10.41]). Tumor diameter ≥3 cm was associated with increased risk of complications grade 2-5 (2.84, [1.29; 6.26]) and 3B-5 (4.44, [1.62; 12.13]). Performance status ≥2 was associated with risk of complications grade 3B-5 (5.98, [1.58; 22.69]). Tumor diameter was not associated with technique efficacy.

CONCLUSION

Open ablation had a higher rate of complete ablation compared with percutaneous but was associated with a higher risk of complications. Tumor diameter ≥3 cm and performance status ≥2 were associated with a higher risk of complications.

Chinese expert consensus on refined diagnosis, treatment, and management of advanced primary liver cancer (2023 edition)

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), commonly known as primary liver cancer, is a major cause of malignant tumors and cancer-related deaths in China, accounting for approximately 85% of all cancer cases in the country. Several guidelines have been used to diagnose and treat liver cancer. However, these guidelines provide a broad definition for classifying advanced liver cancer, with an emphasis on a singular approach, without considering treatment options for individual patients. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a comprehensive and practical expert consensus, specifically for China, to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of HCC using the Delphi method. The classification criteria were refined for Chinese patients with HCC, and the corresponding optimal treatment regimen recommendations were developed. These recommendations took into account various factors, including tumor characteristics, vascular tumor thrombus grade, distant metastasis, liver function status, portal hypertension, and the hepatitis B virus replication status of patients with primary HCC, along with treatment prognosis. The findings and recommendations provide detailed, scientific, and reasonable individualized diagnosis and treatment strategies for clinicians.

Intraoperative Imaging in Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery

Hepatopancreatobiliary surgery belongs to one of the most complex fields of general surgery. An intricate and vital anatomy is accompanied by difficult distinctions of tumors from fibrosis and inflammation; the identification of precise tumor margins; or small, even disappearing, lesions on currently available imaging. The routine implementation of ultrasound use shifted the possibilities in the operating room, yet more precision is necessary to achieve negative resection margins. Modalities utilizing fluorescent-compatible dyes have proven their role in hepatopancreatobiliary surgery, although this is not yet a routine practice, as there are many limitations. Modalities, such as photoacoustic imaging or 3D holograms, are emerging but are mostly limited to preclinical settings. There is a need to identify and develop an ideal contrast agent capable of differentiating between malignant and benign tissue and to report on the prognostic benefits of implemented intraoperative imaging in order to navigate clinical translation. This review focuses on existing and developing imaging modalities for intraoperative use, tailored to the needs of hepatopancreatobiliary cancers. We will also cover the application of these imaging techniques to theranostics to achieve combined diagnostic and therapeutic potential.

Intrahepatic recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after resection: an update

Hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence occurs in 40-70% of patients after hepatic resection. Despite the high frequency of hepatocellular cancer relapse, there is no established guidance for the management of such cases. The evaluation of prognostic factors that indicate a high risk of recurrence after surgery such as the tumor number and size and the presence of microvascular invasion may guide the therapeutic strategy and point out which patients should be strictly monitored. Additionally, the administration of adjuvant treatment or ab initio liver transplantation in selected patients with high-risk characteristics could have a significant impact on the prevention of relapse and overall survival. Once the recurrence has occurred in the liver remnant, the available therapeutic options include re-resection, salvage liver transplantation and locoregional treatments, although the therapeutic choice is often challenging and should be based on the characteristics of the recurrent tumor, the patient profile and most importantly the timing of relapse. Aggressive combination treatments are often required in challenging cases of early relapse. The results of the above treatment strategies are reviewed and compared to determine the optimal management of patients with recurrent hepatocellular cancer following liver resection.

Expression and clinical significance of latent-transforming growth factor beta-binding protein 2 in primary hepatocellular carcinoma

The present study aimed to explore the expression of latent transforming growth factor β binding protein 2 (LTBP2) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and their correlation to clinicopathologial features.Serum levels of LTBP2 in 60 patients with HCC, 35 patients with hepatocellular benign tumors, 60 patients with precancerous lesions of HCC, and 60 healthy volunteers were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression levels of LTBP2 at messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels in 60 cases of HCC and adjacent tissues were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohisochemistry. Statistical analysis was used to analyze the relationship between LTBP2 and clinical characteristics of patients with HCC.The mRNA and protein levels of LTBP2 were significantly upregulated in HCC tissues compared to adjacent tissues. Additionally, higher serum LTBP2 level was also observed in HCC patients relative to normal controls. Further investigation demonstrated that LTBP2 expression was associated with malignant degree of tumor, tumor progression, tumor differentiation, tumor size, tumor stage and hepatitis virus infection, and has prognostic implications in HCC patients.LTBP2 might be served as a potential biomarker in diagnosis and treatment of HCC.

Incidence of Splanchnic Vein Thrombosis After Abdominal Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Abdominal surgery may increase the risk of splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT). We determined the incidence of SVT after abdominal surgery and identified groups at highest risk.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MEDLINE and Embase were searched for clinical studies evaluating the incidence of postoperative SVT after abdominopelvic surgery. Study selection, data abstraction, and risk of bias assessment were carried out independently by two reviewers. Clinical heterogeneity was explored by subgroup analyses (i.e., type of intra-abdominal procedure and organ group).

RESULTS

Of 5549 abstracts screened, 48 were analyzed. Pooled incidence of SVT (n = 50,267) was 2.68% [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.24 to 3.11] (1347 events), I² = 96%. Pooled incidence of SVT in high-risk procedures were splenectomy with devascularization (24%), hepatectomy in patients with cirrhosis (9%), and pancreatectomy with venous resection (5%). Pooled incidence of symptomatic and asymptomatic SVT was 1.02% (95% CI: 0.97% to 1.07%) and 0.98% (95% CI 0.88% to 1.07%), respectively. Most common causes of SVT-related mortality were irreversible thrombosis, bowel ischemia, liver failure, and gastrointestinal bleed. Most studies included were at a high risk of bias due to lack of prospective data collection and lack of SVT screening for all participants.

CONCLUSIONS

Incidence of SVT after abdominal surgery is low but remains a relevant complication. Patients undergoing procedures involving surgical manipulation of the venous system and splenectomy are at the highest risk. Given the life-threatening risks associated with SVT, there is a need for larger prospective studies on the incidence and impact of SVT after abdominal surgery.

Percutaneous treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: State of the art and innovations

Percutaneous treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) encompasses a vast range of techniques, including monopolar radiofrequency ablation (RFA), multibipolar RFA, microwave ablation, cryoablation and irreversible electroporation. RFA is considered one of the main curative treatments for HCC of less than 5 cm developing on cirrhotic liver, together with surgical resection and liver transplantation. However, controversies exist concerning the respective roles of ablation and liver resection for HCC of less than 3 to 5 cm on cirrhotic liver. In line with the therapeutic algorithm of early HCC, percutaneous ablation could also be used as a bridge to liver transplantation or in a sequence of upfront percutaneous treatment, followed by transplantation if the patient relapses. Moreover, several innovations in ablation methods may help to efficiently treat early HCC, initially considered as "non-ablatable", and might, in some cases, extend ablation criteria beyond early HCC, enabling treatment of more patients with a curative approach.