High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation for Postoperative Recurrent Desmoid Tumors: Preliminary Results

This study was aimed at evaluating the feasibility, safety and therapeutic effects of high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation (HIFUA) in the treatment of post-operative recurrent desmoid tumors. From September 2017 to May 2020, 42 consecutive patients with pathologically proven desmoid tumors treated with HIFUA for the first time were enrolled. These were divided into two groups: post-operative recurrent group (30 cases) and non-surgery group (12 cases). The basic characteristics, treatment parameters, ablation efficacy, tolerance and adverse events were recorded and compared between groups. The minimum distance between the tumor and skin surface in the post-operative recurrent group was significantly smaller than that in the non-surgery group (6.9 mm vs. 10.8 mm, p = 0.011), but there was no significant difference in the other basic characteristics (p > 0.05). The average acoustic power and intensity of treatment in the post-operative recurrent group were significantly lower than those in the non-surgery group (p = 0.006 and 0.036, respectively), but there was no significant difference in the remaining parameters or in ablation efficacy between groups (p > 0.05). HIFUA was successfully performed, and a large volume of coagulation necrosis was obtained from all patients without serious or life-threatening adverse events. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the incidence of moderate adverse events and average length of stay between groups (p > 0.05). The average power and intensity of HIFUA treatment were adversely affected by surgical scar and tumor infiltration along the surgical path. However, HIFUA can still be used as an effective minimally invasive therapy for the local control of post-operative recurrent desmoid tumors.