Effect of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation with cool-tip electrode under ultrasound guidance on advanced hepatic carcinoma

Objective:To evaluate the short-term efficacy of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation(RFA) with cool-tip electrode under ultrasound guidance on the treatment of advance liver cancer.Methods:A total of 30 patients of advance liver cancer were selected including 21 cases with primary hepatic carcinoma and 9 cases of metastatic liver cancer.Twelve patients(the largest tumor diameter ≤5 cm)received RFA therapy alone,18 patients(the largest tumor diameter 5 cm) had a combination therapy of TACE and RFA.The therapeutic effects were compared with contrast enhanced sonography or contrast enhanced computed tomography 1 month after RFA.Results:The ratio of complete inactivation in 30 advanced hepatic carcinoma cases was 46.7%(14 cases),while the ratio of partial inactivation was 53.3%(16 cases).The ratio of complete inactivation from RFA group(12 cases) was 50%(6 cases),while the ratio of partial inactivation was 50%(6 cases).The ratio of complete inactivation from RFA plus TACE group(18 cases) was 44.4%(8 cases),while the ratio of partial inactivation was 55.6%(10 cases).The difference was not significant in the efficacy between the two groups(P0.05).Serum AFP levels(15 cases) were significantly decreased(P0.05),as compared with that before treatment.Conclusions:Percutaneous RFA with cool-tip electrode under ultrasound guidance is effective on treating advance hepatic carcinoma,while RFA plus TACE treatment is recommended for large hepatic tumor.