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Radiofrequency ablation in a previously irradiated liver
Marc A Friedman1, Rosemary Altemus, Bradford J Wood
1Diagnostic Radiology Department, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1182, USA.
Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology : JVIR
|October 11, 2003
Summary
External-beam radiation therapy (XRT) and radiofrequency (RF) ablation may have a synergistic effect when used together for cancer treatment. Ablating liver tumors within a recent XRT zone resulted in larger lesions and less energy input.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Interventional Radiology
- Radiation Oncology
Background:
- Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) can metastasize to distant sites, including the chest wall and liver.
- External-beam radiation therapy (XRT) and radiofrequency (RF) ablation are established treatment modalities for metastatic cancer.
- The potential interaction between XRT and RF ablation is not well understood.
Observation:
- A patient with RCC received XRT for a chest-wall metastasis.
- Subsequently, the patient underwent RF ablation for two liver metastases, one within and one outside the prior XRT field.
- RF ablation in the previously irradiated liver zone showed a larger ablation zone and prominent needle tract scarring.
Findings:
- RF ablation within the irradiated liver required less energy input compared to ablation in the unirradiated liver.
- The ablation zone in the irradiated area was slightly larger than in the non-irradiated area.
- Prominent needle tract scarring was observed in the irradiated liver during RF ablation.
Implications:
- XRT and RF ablation may interact, potentially enhancing treatment efficacy.
- The findings suggest a possible synergistic effect between XRT and RF ablation.
- Further research is warranted to explore the adjunctive use of XRT and RF ablation in cancer therapy.