Efficacy of percuatneous radiofrequency ablation in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma with schistosomisis

ABSTRACT

Radiofrequency ablation [RFA] is a well known therapeutic modality in the curative treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]. The aim of this work was to assess the efficacy of percutaneous RFA in patients with tumors ability to achieve full tumor necrosis and local recurrence in patients with previous schistosomal infection. A total of 89 patients with HCC work [4.5 with schistosomiasis; group I and 44 without history of schistosomiasis; group II]. History of schistosomiasis was documented by positive serum schistosomal antibodies and/or detection of Schistosoma ova in rectal snip examination. HCC was diagnosed by detection of hepatic nodule on ultrasound examination in the background of cirrhotic liver or chronic hepatitis together with elevated serum alphafetoprotein [AFP] [>400 ng/ml] and/or typical pattern of triphasic CT examination. RFA was employed to all patients. Triphasic CT examination was performed 1 month after the end of procedure and at three months interval for one year of follow up. Ultrasound examination and AFP were performed at 3 months interval for the same follow up period. Recurrence was considered when typical criteria were detected at triphasic CT examination. The results showed that full necrosis of the tumor was achieved in 42 patients in group I [93.3%] and in 41 patients in group II [93.18%]; [P>0.05]]. Recurrence after 1 year was detected in 11 patients of group I [26.19%] and 12 patients of group II [29.27%], [P> 0.05]