[Experience of radiofrequency ablation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma]

There are various therapeutic options for hepatocellular carcinoma. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) was introduced to Japan in 1998, and has become popular in percutaneous local treatment for HCC as a treatment with the advantage of both percutaneous ethanol injection therapy and percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy. In this study, we investigated the efficacy and complication of RFA for HCC. Seventeen patients underwent percutaneous or open RFA with a Cool-tip needle (Radionics Co. Ltd) from April 2001 to May 2005. All tumors were solitary and the average diameter of 17 tumors was 2.24 cm. Fifteen tumors were completely ablated, but two weren't. Local recurrence occurred in only one patient and the rate of local recurrence was 6.7%. Mild complication occurred in some patients, but critical complication did not occur in any patients. In this study, it was considered that RFA could be performed safely and was a good treatment for HCC with high efficacy. After investigating the long-term results and indication of RFA, it was suggested that RFA might be reestablished as an effective treatment for HCC.