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Radiofrequency ablation of hepatic tumours: effect of post-ablation margin on local tumour progression

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the relationship between post-ablation margins and local tumour progression following radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinomas and colorectal liver metastases.

Methods

Eighty-three patients with 107 hepatic tumours who underwent RFA were divided into two groups: the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) group (55 patients with 69 lesions) and the colorectal liver metastases group (28 patients with 38 lesions). Post-ablation margins were calculated on 1-month follow-up contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. Efficacy was evaluated at 1-month post-ablation, then at 3-month intervals for the first year and biannually thereafter.

Results

The results of the log-rank test showed that the minimum threshold post-ablation margin of 0.4 cm (P = 0.020) and tumour size smaller than 2.5 cm (P = 0.001) significantly correlated with local control for the HCC group. In the colorectal liver metastases group, the results of the log-rank test showed that the minimum threshold post-ablation margin of 0.4 cm (P = 0.345) and tumour size smaller than 2.5 cm (P = 0.168) did not correlate with local control.

Conclusion

Percutaneous RFA is more effective in achieving local control in patients with HCCs than with colorectal liver metastases.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Chang-Hsien Liu, Ronald S. Arellano, Raul N. Uppot, Anthony E. Samir, Debra A. Gervais & Peter R. Mueller

  2. Department of Radiology, Tri-Service General Hospital and National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan

    Chang-Hsien Liu

  3. Department of Radiology, Division of Abdominal Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, White 270, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Ronald S. Arellano

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  1. Chang-Hsien Liu
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  2. Ronald S. Arellano
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  3. Raul N. Uppot
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  4. Anthony E. Samir
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  5. Debra A. Gervais
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  6. Peter R. Mueller
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Correspondence to Ronald S. Arellano.

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Liu, CH., Arellano, R.S., Uppot, R.N. et al. Radiofrequency ablation of hepatic tumours: effect of post-ablation margin on local tumour progression. Eur Radiol 20, 877–885 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-009-1610-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-009-1610-4

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