Objective: To observe the curative effect of percutaneous radio frequency ablation (PRFA) on hepatocellular carcinoma.
Methods: Under local or epidural anaesthesia, radio frequency electrodes were percutaneously introduced with ultrasound guide into the tumor in the liver for ablation.
Results: Among the 96 hepatic cancer lesions in 60 patients, 41 (42.7%) with diameter < 3.5 cm were ablated by one session. The effective rate (CR + PR) was 100% (41/41) with CR 92.6% (38/41) and PR 7.3% (3/41). During the 6 - 24 month follow up of these lesions, 36 (87.8%) of these 41 patients showed no recurrence by CT or MRI. Fifty-five (57.3%) lesions with diameter 3.5 cm < or = Phi < 12 cm were ablated by two or three sessions, with CR 3.6% (2/55), PR 67.3% (37/55) and CR + PR 70.9% (39/55) by CT or MRI in 1 to 3 months after the treatment.
Conclusion: Percutaneous radio frequency ablation is effective on liver tumor with Phi < 3.5 cm. It is partly effective on lesions with 3.5 cm < or = Phi < 12 cm.