Radiofrequency ablation for subcapsular hepatocellular carcinoma.

Abstract

Limited data from recent studies suggested an increased risk of bleeding complications, needle-track seeding, and local recurrence after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of subcapsular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Between May 2001 and October 2002, 80 patients underwent RFA of 104 HCC nodules. Forty-eight patients had subcapsular HCC (group I), whereas the other 32 patients did not have subcapsular HCC (group II). RFA was performed via celiotomy, laparoscopy, or a percutaneous approach. Subcapsular HCCs were ablated by indirect puncture through nontumorous liver, and the needle track was thermocoagulated. There were no significant differences between groups in treatment morbidity (14.6% vs. 15.6%; P =.898), mortality (2.1% vs. 0%; P = 1.000), complete ablation rate after a single session (89.4% vs. 96.9%; P =.392), local recurrence rate (4.3% vs. 12.5%; P =.216), recurrence-free survival (1 year: 60.9% vs. 49.2%; P =.258), or overall survival (1 year: 88.3% vs. 79.4%; P =.441). After a median follow-up of 13 months, no needle-track seeding or intraperitoneal metastasis was observed. This study shows that the results of RFA for subcapsular HCCs are comparable to those of RFA for nonsubcapsular HCCs. Subcapsular HCC should not be considered a contraindication for RFA treatment.