Study on examining clinical characteristics, alpha feto protein and imaging features of hepatocellular carcinomas after therapy with radio frequency ablation

ABSTRACT

Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is coming into use worldwide. Objective: To analyze clinical characteristics, AFP (alpha - feto protein), imaging features of liver tumors after treated with RFA or with RFA combined with TOCE. Subjects and method: Between August 2002 and October 2006, we ablated 87 HCCs in 76 patients (RFA alone, 41. TOCE - RFA, 35). Results: The mean age of patients was 52.8 \xb1 12. The male/female ratio was 5.9/1. The complication rate was 1.9% (5/254 sessions, 5/76 patients). Significant differences were observed in clinical symptoms: Weigh gain, abdominal pain relief, AFP decreased after treatment. Median survival was 30 \xb1 5.8 months in RFA group and 31 \xb1 5.4 months in TOCE - RFA group. 1 - 2 - 3 years survival rates were 74%; 56.3%; 43.8% in RFA group and 91.3%; 63.4%; 34.6% in TOCE - RFA group. Ablated lesions were of low attenuation with absence of contrast material enhancement and reduced in size. Conclusions: Our study results show that RFA is an effective and safe therapeutic technique for HCC. Good therapeutic effects on clinical symptoms, treated lesion and survival were achieved.