Radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with decompensated cirrhosis
Oncology (Karger), 09/09/2011
Clinical Article
Wakutaa A et al. – Radiofrequency ablation(RFA) is a useful modality for treating HCC in patients with poor liver function such as Child–Pugh B and C, but careful monitoring after RFA must be needed.
Methods- 66 consecutive hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) patients with Child–Pugh B/C cirrhosis, who were treated by RFA, were enrolled in this study
- Analyzed patient outcomes, the complications of RFA, and changes in liver function and tumor markers
- Fifty–six patients were classified as Child–Pugh class B, and 10 were classified as class C
- OS rates in patients with Child–Pugh B and C cirrhosis were 82 and 83% at 1 year and 47 and 31% at 3 years
- Serum total bilirubin (T.Bil), albumin, prothrombin time, ascites, and encephalopathy were unchanged at 1, 3, and 6 months after RFA in patients with Child–Pugh B cirrhosis; however, serum T.Bil levels increased significantly at 6 months after RFA in 6/10 (60%) patients with Child–Pugh C cirrhosis
- Hemothorax and rupture of esophageal varices were observed in 2 patients; however, there were no complications related to poor liver function