Hypertonic saline enhanced radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of liver cancer / 中华消化外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of hypertonie saline enhanced radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of liver cancer. Methods The clinical data of 42 patients with primary liver cancer (n = 28) or metastatic liver eancer (n = 14) who had been admitted to First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from September 2001 to December 2007 were collected. Forty-eight lesions were detected with a diameter ranging from 1.2 cm to 7.5 cm. RFA electrode and 20G needle were pricked into the target lesion under the guidance of B ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) through percutaneoas puncture or open approaches. An amount of 5-10 ml hypertonie saline was infused through the needle at regular intervals during RFA. All patients were followed up for 3-79 months. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound and CT scanning were performed postoperatively to determine the efficacy of RFA. The levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) before and after treatment were compared using t test, and the survival of the patients were analyzed using a Kaplan-Meier survival curve. Results The AFP expression changed to negative in 14 out of the 18 AFP-positive patients, with statistical difference (t =7.703, P <0.05). The complete necrosis rate of tumors was 94% (45/48), and the necrosis rate of tumors with diameter of ≤4.0 cm reached 100% (35/35). The incidence of complication was 5% (2/42). No perioperative mortality occurred. The 1-, 2-, 3-year survival rates were 91%, 85% and 70%, respectively. Conclusions Hypertonic saline enhanced RFA in the treatment of liver cancer was proved to be safe and effective.