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Minimally invasive microwave ablation provides excellent long‐term outcomes for otherwise inaccessible hepatocellular cancer
Author(s) -
Altman Ariella M.,
Coughlan Alexandria,
Shukla Dip M.,
Schat Robben,
Spilseth Benjamin,
Marmor Schelomo,
Hui Jane Y. C.,
Tuttle Todd M.,
Jensen Eric H.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.25924
Subject(s) - medicine , interquartile range , hepatocellular carcinoma , microwave ablation , surgery , ablation , retrospective cohort study , cirrhosis , percutaneous , cancer
Background and Objectives Thermal ablation can be used as a bridge to transplant or with curative intent for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We report our experience with laparoscopic ablation of HCC in patients deemed inaccessible by the percutaneous approach. Methods We performed a retrospective review of surgical ablations from 2009 to 2017. Patient demographics, disease and treatment characteristics, and outcomes were abstracted from the medical record. Kaplan‐Meier modeling was performed for survival and recurrence. Results Thirty‐three patients were included with a median age of 62 (interquartile range [IQR], 57‐67). Most patients were male (76%) and Caucasian (70%). Ninety‐seven percent had underlying cirrhosis. Median model for end stage liver disease‐sodium was 9.5 (IQR, 8‐12). The median maximal diameter of ablated lesions was 2.6 cm (IQR, 1.8‐3.0). Thirty‐nine lesions were ablated; 97% were completed laparoscopically. The median maximal diameter of the ablation zone was 4.8 cm (IQR, 3.8‐5.7) with a median difference of ablation zone to the tumor of 2.0 cm (IQR, 1.5‐2.75). Twelve patients received additional treatment. Median disease‐free survival was 66.7 months and median follow‐up 42.9 months. Disease recurrence occurred in 13 patients (39%)—systemic recurrence in 6%, intrahepatic recurrence in 27% and local recurrence in 6%. Conclusion Laparoscopic thermal ablation of HCC is safe and provides good oncologic outcomes for otherwise inaccessible tumors.