Abstract
To evaluate the efficacy of the combined use of both transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in a single session for the treatment of large (≥3 cm in diameter) hepatocellular carcinoma.
This study was carried out on 30 patients (23 males and 7 females, with age range between 46 and 74 years), with either solitary or multiple hepatocellular carcinomas. Every patient was subjected to a single-session combined RFA with TACE. Targeting the lesion with RFA needle was first done, to secure its access into the lesion, under ultrasound guidance. Super-selective TACE was then performed, followed by the RFA procedure.
One-month follow-up revealed complete ablation of the tumour in 25 patients (83.3%), while 5 patients (16.7%) showed residual tumour activity, requiring an additional TACE session. No major complications related to the procedure were recorded during the duration of this study. The probability of encountering, both intra- and post-procedural, minor complications was significantly higher with large focal lesion diameters (P = .039 and .003, respectively).
Single-session combined TACE and RFA is a safe and effective treatment option for the control of large HCC lesions, with no major procedure-related complications.