Min Hua Chen

Image-guided tumor ablation: standardization of terminology and reporting criteria--a 10-year update.

Image-guided tumor ablation has become a well-established hallmark of local cancer therapy. The breadth of options available in this growing field increases the need for standardization of terminology and reporting criteria to facilitate effective communication of ideas and appropriate comparison among treatments that use different technologies, such as chemical (eg, ethanol or acetic acid) ablation, thermal therapies (eg, radiofrequency, laser, microwave, focused ultrasound, and cryoablation) and newer ablative modalities such as irreversible electroporation. This updated consensus document provides a framework that will facilitate the clearest communication among investigators regarding ablative technologies. An appropriate vehicle is proposed for reporting the various aspects of image-guided ablation therapy including classification of therapies, procedure terms, descriptors of imaging guidance, and terminology for imaging and pathologic findings. Methods are addressed for standardizing reporting of technique, follow-up, complications, and clinical results. As noted in the original document from 2003, adherence to the recommendations will improve the precision of communications in this field, leading to more accurate comparison of technologies and results, and ultimately to improved patient outcomes.

Treatment Strategy to Optimize Radiofrequency Ablation for Liver Malignancies

PURPOSE The purposes of this study were to investigate a treatment strategy to increase liver tumor necrosis and minimize complications with ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation and to evaluate its therapeutic efficacy. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 332 patients with 503 liver malignancies underwent RF ablation according to a mathematical protocol with adjunctive measures. In the 332 patients, 205 had 308 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) with a mean largest diameter of 4.1 cm and 127 had 195 metastatic liver carcinomas (MLCs) with a mean largest diameter of 3.9 cm. In patients with HCC, 60 (29.3%) had stage I/II disease and 145 (70.7%) had stage III/IV disease. Depending on tumor size, shape, and location, a defined treatment strategy was adopted that consisted of a mathematical protocol, an individualized protocol, and adjunctive measures. The mathematical protocol was followed for tumors larger than 3.5 cm. The individualized protocol was used for tumors located adjacent to the diaphragm, gastrointestinal tract, or gallbladder. Some adjunctive measures such as supplementary fine needle localization, local saline solution injection, and feeding vessel ablation were used to deal with different features of these liver tumors. Patients were followed regularly to assess treatment efficiency, and the tumor was considered to have early complete necrosis if no viability was found on enhanced computed tomography 1 month after RF ablation. RESULTS In this series, the early necrosis rates were 95.8% for HCC (295 of 308 tumors), 94.9% for MLC (185 of 195 tumors), 91.3% for tumors larger than 3.5 cm (189 of 207 tumors), 90.7% for tumors near the gastrointestinal tract (49 of 54 tumors), 91.5% for tumors near the diaphragm (86 of 94 tumors), and 90.6% for tumors near the gallbladder (48 of 53 tumors). The local recurrence rates were 10.7% for HCC (33 of 308 tumors) and 14.9% for MLC (29 of 195 tumors). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival rates were 89.6%, 69.4%, and 59.6%, respectively, for HCC and 80.3%, 52.8%, and 30.9%, respectively, for MLC. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates in 60 patients with stage I/II HCC were 93.7%, 87.1%, and 76.2%, respectively. The incidence of major complications was 1.4% (eight of 574 sessions), which included of three hemorrhages, four injuries to adjacent structures, and one case of needle tract seeding. CONCLUSION In RF ablation of hepatic tumors, application of a proper protocol and adjunctive measures play important roles in improving tumor necrosis rate and minimizing potential complications.

Radiofrequency Ablation of Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Hepatectomy: Therapeutic Efficacy on Early- and Late-Phase Recurrence

OBJECTIVE Our objective was to assess the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatectomy and to compare the effects on early- and late-phase recurrence. SUBJECTS AND METHODS We studied 41 patients with 76 recurrent HCC tumors (diameter range, 2.0-6.6 cm; mean, 3.8 +/- 1.3 [SD] cm) after hepatectomy who underwent sonography-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation in our hospital (recurrent-HCC group). The interval between surgery and recurrence ranged from 1 to 96 months (mean, 24.5 months). These patients were divided into an early-recurrence group (20 patients with 41 recurrent HCC tumors) and a late-recurrence group (21 patients with 35 recurrent HCC tumors). Early recurrence was defined as that occurring within 1 year after surgery, and late recurrence was defined as that occurring after 1 year. Another 116 patients with 172 primary HCC tumors (diameter range, 1.2-7.0 cm; mean, 3.9 +/- 1.1 cm) treated by radiofrequency ablation were regarded as a control group. No other therapies were given before radiofrequency ablation in any group. Regular follow-up with enhanced CT was performed to evaluate the treatment results. Ablation was considered successful if no contrast enhancement was detected in the treated area on 1-month CT scans. Indexes including ablation success rate, local recurrence rate, distant recurrence rate, and survival were obtained for analysis and comparison. RESULTS The ablation success rate, local recurrence rate, distant recurrence rate, and mean overall survival time of the recurrent-HCC group were 93.4% (71/76 tumors), 9.2% (7/76 tumors), 36.6% (15/41 patients), and 30.9 +/- 3.7 months, respectively. The incidence of distant recurrence in the early-recurrence group was significantly higher than that in the late-recurrence group (55.0% vs 19.0%, p = 0.017). The early-recurrence group had a shorter overall survival than did the late-recurrence group (mean overall survival, 16.4 +/- 2.4 vs 42.9 +/- 4.4 months, p < 0.001) or the control group (16.4 +/- 2.4 vs 45.9 +/- 2.5 months, p < 0.001). The survival time of the late-recurrence group was similar to that of the control group (42.9 +/- 4.4 vs 45.9 +/- 2.5 months, p > 0.05). Serious hemorrhage after radiofrequency ablation occurred in one patient in the late-recurrence group and was controlled with conservative treatment. CONCLUSION Radiofrequency ablation is generally effective and safe in treating recurrent HCC after hepatectomy and is more effective in late recurrence than in early recurrence.

Focal Liver Lesions: Can Sonovue-enhanced Ultrasound Be Used to Differentiate Malignant From Benign Lesions?

Objective:To evaluate whether contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with SonoVue could differentiate malignant focal liver lesions (FLLs) from benign lesions and provide lesion type diagnoses. Materials and Methods:Four hundred fifty-six patients with 554 FLLs were examined by CEUS with SonoVue using low mechanical index, nonlinear imaging techniques. Each lesion was characterized by 2 independent off-site readers as malignant or benign and given specific lesion type diagnosis, if possible, both at baseline ultrasound (US) and after SonoVue administration (CEUS). The final diagnosis was achieved by histopathology obtained from biopsy or surgical specimens, or by typical manifestation on contrast-enhanced CT or MRI. Results:The diagnostic accuracies of the 2 readers were 41.9% and 35.2% for baseline US, which improved significantly to 87.2% and 87.9% for CEUS (P < 0.05). Interreader agreement also increased with CEUS compared with baseline US (ê value changed from 0.49 to 0.77). The accuracy for lesion type diagnosis was 38.4% and 32.5% for baseline US, which increased to 77.6% and 78.0% for CEUS (P < 0.05). Conclusions:CEUS with SonoVue improves differentiation between malignant and benign FLLs, and also provides improved lesion type (differential) diagnosis.

Combination therapy of radiofrequency ablation and transarterial chemoembolization in recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy compared with single treatment

Aim:  To assess the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatectomy and to compare its outcome with a single modality.

Diagnosis of small hepatic nodules detected by surveillance ultrasound in patients with cirrhosis: Comparison between contrast-enhanced ultrasound and contrast-enhanced helical computed tomography

Aim:  To investigate the diagnostic value for the diagnosis of small (1–2 cm) hepatic nodules detected by surveillance ultrasound in patients with cirrhosis using contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) compared with that of contrast‐enhanced helical computed tomography (CECT).

Radiofrequency ablation in the management of unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy of radiofrequency (RF) ablation for treatment of unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and to explore the impact of prognostic variables on outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS From 2000-2010, 17 patients with 26 ICCs underwent RF ablation at a single institution. None of the patients were surgery candidates. Seven patients had 15 primary ICCs, and 10 patients had 11 recurrent ICCs. The median largest diameter was 4.4 cm (range 2.1-6.8 cm). A percutaneous approach was used in 15 patients, and an open approach was used in 2 patients. Early tumor necrosis, recurrence-free survival, and overall survival were analyzed. Univariate analysis was performed to evaluate 12 clinicopathologic and treatment-related variables associated with recurrence-free survival and overall survival. RESULTS Early tumor necrosis was 96.2% (25 of 26 tumors). The median follow-up period after RF ablation was 29 months. The median recurrence-free survival and overall survival were 17 months and 33 months. The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates were 84.6%, 43.3%, and 28.9%, with an overall complication rate of 3.6% (1 of 28 sessions). Three variables were found to be closely associated with recurrence-free survival: lymph node metastases (P = .023), tumor differentiation (P = .034), and tumor number (P = .035). The only variable significantly associated with overall survival was tumor differentiation (P = .033). CONCLUSIONS Preliminary results showed that RF ablation may be an effective treatment for ICC because it achieved an acceptable survival rate in a small population. Prognostic factors might allow better patient selection and outcomes.

Phase III HEAT Study Adding Lyso-Thermosensitive Liposomal Doxorubicin to Radiofrequency Ablation in Patients with Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma Lesions

Purpose: Lyso-thermosensitive liposomal doxorubicin (LTLD) consists of doxorubicin contained within a heat-sensitive liposome. When heated to ≥40°C, LTLD locally releases a high concentration of doxorubicin. We aimed to determine whether adding LTLD improves the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lesions with a maximum diameter (dmax) of 3 to 7 cm. Experimental Design: The HEAT Study was a randomized, double-blind, dummy-controlled trial of RFA ± LTLD. The 701 enrolled patients had to have ≤4 unresectable HCC lesions, at least one of which had a dmax of 3 to 7 cm. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) and a key secondary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Post hoc subset analyses investigated whether RFA duration was associated with efficacy. Results: The primary endpoint was not met; in intention-to-treat analysis, the PFS HR of RFA + LTLD versus RFA alone was 0.96 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.79-1.18; P = 0.71], and the OS HR ratio was 0.95 (95% CI, 0.76–1.20; P = 0.67). Among 285 patients with a solitary HCC lesion who received ≥45 minutes RFA dwell time, the OS HR was 0.63 (95% CI, 0.41–0.96; P < 0.05) in favor of combination therapy. RFA + LTLD had reversible myelosuppression similar to free doxorubicin. Conclusions: Adding LTLD to RFA was safe but did not increase PFS or OS in the overall study population. However, consistent with LTLDs heat-based mechanism of action, subgroup analysis suggested that RFA + LTLD efficacy is improved when RFA dwell time for a solitary lesion ≥45 minutes. Clin Cancer Res; 24(1); 73–83. ©2017 AACR.

Expert consensus on local ablation therapies for primary liver cancer

Local ablation therapies are procedures that, guided by medical imaging technology, localize the targeted tumor and then kill tumor tissues through the local application of physical and/or chemical methods. The imaging technology includes ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the ablation can be performed through percataneous, laparoscopic, or open surgery. Local ablation has two advantages: First, it can act directly on tumor and thus is highly effective and efficient; second, the efficacy of this treatment is only confined on tumor and its neighboring tissues, with limited effect on human body, and therefore can be repeatedly applied. After the rapid development during the past two decades, local ablation therapy has became the third most promising local treatment (immediately after surgical resection and intervention) for primary liver cancer. Notably, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is as effective as surgical resection but is simpler and safer in treating small hepatocellular carcinoma (SHCC). Therefore, RFA has been recognized as one of the radical treatment for SHCC and been widely applied in China.