Combined Hepatectomy and Radiofrequency Ablation for Multifocal Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Novel Concept for Curative Treatment and Reported Cases at Phramongkutklao Hospital

Authors

  • Pichai Boonyongsunchai Department of Surgery, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
  • Anuchit Ruamtarntong Department of Radiology, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand

Keywords:

Hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatectomy, radiofrequency ablation

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the criteria in patient selection, safety and short-term results of combined hepatic
resection and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma.
Background: The role of combined resection and ablation has been previously reported in patients with
colorectal liver metastasis. For multifocal hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) that are untreatable with resection
only, locoregional therapies added to hepatectomy have been introduced. Combined resection and RFA play an
even more important role in the management of HCC because of the high frequency of multifocal tumors and
associated cirrhosis.
Materials and Methods: Case records of three patients who had six HCCs in their livers undergoing
hepatectomy combined with ultrasound-guided intra-operative RFA were reviewed. The mean diameter of the
resected tumors was 3.4 cm (range 2-5 cm) and that of ablated tumors was 2 cm (range 1-3 cm). We evaluated
the criteria in patients’ selection, safety and short-term results of combined hepatic resection and RFA.
Results: The primary effectiveness rate of RFA was 100 % in the first three months. There was no
procedure-related death occurred and there were no hepatectomy-related complications and an RFA-related
complication in all three patients.
Conclusions: Combined hepatectomy and RFA is an effective and safe treatment modality for multifocal
HCCs. However, this strategy should be performed following strict patient’s selection and within the context
of prospective clinical trials.

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Published

2009-12-30

How to Cite

1.
Boonyongsunchai P, Ruamtarntong A. Combined Hepatectomy and Radiofrequency Ablation for Multifocal Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Novel Concept for Curative Treatment and Reported Cases at Phramongkutklao Hospital. Thai J Surg [Internet]. 2009 Dec. 30 [cited 2024 Dec. 23];30(3-4). Available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/ThaiJSurg/article/view/227766

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