Radiofrequency Ablation in the Treatment of 26 Cases with Liver Cancer Located in the Second Hepatic Portal

[Purpose] To investigate the outcome of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treatment for liver cancer located in the second hepatic portal. [Methods] From Jan. 2001 to Jan. 2008, 26 cases with liver cancer located in the second hepatic portal of 32 tumors were treated with 35 times under ultrasound-guided percutaneous RFA. [Results] The initial radiofrequency ablation for 26 cases with 30 liver cancer located in the second hepatic portal, 22 cases with 25 tumor was complete ablation, complete ablation rate was 84.6% . The complete ablation rate were 91.3% ,66.7% and 0 in the tumor diameter 3cm, 3～4cm and 4cm, respectively. There was significant difference between tumors with different diameter (P=0.027). Nine cases were accepted multiple RFA because of local residual, recurrence and neonatal. Twenty-six cases were totally accepted 35 times RFA, and 29 of 32 tumors in the second hepatic portal were complete ablation, the overall complete ablation rate was 90.6%(29/32). No RFA related death occurred, 2 cases occurred obvious pleural effusion; 1 case, cholesteatoma complicated with intrahepatic infection; 3 cases, local recurrence. There were 5 death cases in the series, the overall survival was 80.8%; 1-year survival, 86.7%; and 1-year relapse-free survival, 71.4%. [Conclusion] With familiar to the anatomical characteristics of second hepatic portal and skilled operative technique, RFA in the treatment of liver cancer located in the second hepatic portal has an definite effect with safety and reliability.