[A promising new treatment strategy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma--"multi-ablation therapy" consisting of radio-frequency ablation (RFA), microwave coagulation therapy (MCT) and ethanol injection therapy (EIT)].

Abstract

We introduce a new treatment strategy (multi-ablation therapy) for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The therapy consists of radio-frequency ablation (RFA), microwave coagulation therapy (MCT) and ethanol injection therapy (EIT). We assessed the efficacy of the therapy in 20 patients with advanced HCCs, including 10 patients with stage III and 10 patients with stage IV. The average tumor diameter was 3.6 cm (max: 6.6 cm) and the average tumor number was 3.6 (max: 11). RFA, MCT and EIT were performed in 20, 14 and 9 cases, respectively. A percutaneous, endoscopic and open approach was applied in 2, 11 and 7 cases, respectively. The average number of times treated on initial admission was 1.1. The response rate, calculated by the tumor necrosis effect, was 100%. The cumulative two-year recurrent rate in the treated sites was 33% and the 2-year cumulative survival rate was 90%. Complications were encountered in two patients (liver failure and pyothorax). Multi-ablation therapy provides an excellent prognosis for advanced HCC patients whose condition could not be controlled with conventional therapeutic modalities.

• Authors: T Beppu, T Ishiko, K Doi, T Matsuda, T Maeda, K Ishihara, K Ogata, M Ogawa
• Journal: Gan to kagaku ryoho. Cancer & chemotherapy (Gan To Kagaku Ryoho) Vol. 28 Issue 11 Pg. 1583-6 (Oct 2001) ISSN: 0385-0684 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 11707985 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Ethanol

Topics

• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (drug therapy, surgery)
• Catheter Ablation (methods)
• Electrocoagulation
• Ethanol (administration & dosage)
• Humans
• Injections, Intralesional
• Liver Neoplasms (drug therapy, mortality, surgery)
• Microwaves (therapeutic use)
• Survival Rate