Percutaneous CT-guided high frequency induced thermotherapy as a treatment hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatic metastatic lesions

Objective To analyze the efficacy, side effects and comp li cations of percutaneous high frequency induced thermotherapy (HiTT) performed un der CT guidance involving 36 patients with hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) and h epatic metastatic lesions. Methods HiTT was performed in treatment of 36 patien ts (24 men and 12 women) with 42 hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatic metastatic carcinoma (six patient out of 36 had two nidi). The diameter of the tumors rang ed from 1.6 to 7.8 cm (mean, 3.2 cm). The efficacy of HiTT was evaluated with tr iphasic spiral CT performed 1 month after the procedure. Results The post-trea tment CT scan showed complete necrosis in 33 nidi (78% ) out of 42 nidi of hepa tocellular carcinoma and hepatic metastatic carcinoma in 30 patients out of 36. Complete necrosis was obtained in 18 (95% ) of 19 tumors no larger than 3 cm in diameter, 13 (72% ) of 18 tumors between 3.0 and 5.0 cm in diameter. Eleven tu mors showed incomplete necrosis. In our study, none of the patients experienced severe complications. All the patients are alive in the follow-up ranging from 2 to 12 months (mean, 7 months). Conclusion Our research suggests that HiTT can be a safe and effective treatment of hepatocellular carcinomas and hepatic meta static carcinoma when the lesion is no larger than 3 cm. The treatment is relati vely effective for hepatocellular carcinoma between 3 and 5 cm in size.