Increasing radiofrequency ablation volumes with the use of internally cooled electrodes and injected hydrochloric acid in ex vivo bovine livers.

PURPOSE: We used an impedance-controlled generator with an internally cooled electrode to perform radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in ex vivo bovine livers, with a single injection of either 38.5% sodium chloride (NaCl) or 10% hydrochloric acid (HCl), to determine the relative effects of these two solutions on tissue impedance, temperature and ablation volume. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed 10 ablations each with injections of NaCl (NaCl-RFA), HCl (HCl-RFA) or nothing (RFA-alone), with a power setting of 200 W for 15 minutes. We recorded tissue impedance before and after injection. We logged temperatures obtained from thermocouple probes positioned 5, 10, 15 and 20 mm from the internally cooled RF electrode. After ablation, we measured ablation zone longitudinal and transverse diameters, and we calculated a spherical ratio (SR) for each ablation. RESULTS: Mean post-injection impedance of 30.3 (standard deviation [SD] 2.5) ohms for HCl was significantly lower than that of 55.4 (SD 3.5) ohms for NaCl (p < .001). Mean maximum temperatures recorded at each respective distance from the RFA electrode were all highest for HCl-RFA and lowest for RFA-alone (p < .001). Mean longitudinal and transverse diameters after HCl-RFA (5.50 [SD 0.25] cm and 5.28 [SD 0.22] cm, respectively) were significantly larger than those after NaCl-RFA (4.24 [SD 0.35] cm and 3.55 [SD 0.43] cm, respectively) and after RFA-alone (3.60 [SD 0.10] cm and 2.70 [SD 0.13] cm, respectively) (p < .001). Mean SR after HCl-RFA (0.93, SD 0.02) was significantly higher than mean SR after NaCl-RFA (0.76, SD 0.06) and RFA-alone (0.72, SD 0.04) (p < .001). CONCLUSION: Monopolar, impedance-controlled RFA, with an internally cooled electrode and a single 10% HCl injection may allow larger tumors to be treated, potentially resulting in improved patient outcomes.

Safety and effect on ablation size of hydrochloric acid-perfused radiofrequency ablation in animal livers.

PURPOSE: Our objective was to determine the safety and ablation size of hydrochloric acid-perfused radiofrequency ablation (HCl-RFA) in liver tissues, prospectively using in vivo rabbit and ex vivo porcine liver models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The livers in 30 rabbits were treated in vivo with perfusions of normal saline (controls) and HCl concentrations of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, during RFA at 103 °C and 30 W for 3 min. For each experimental setting, six ablations were created. Safety was assessed by comparing baseline weight and selected laboratory values with those at 2, 7, and 14 days' post-ablation, and by histopathological analysis. The livers in 25 pigs were treated ex vivo with the same five perfusions during RFA at 103 °C, at both 30 W and 60 W, for 30 min. Ablation diameters and volumes were measured by two examiners. RESULTS: Rabbit weights and selected laboratory values did not differ significantly from baseline to 7 and 14 days' post-ablation, liver tissues outside the ablation zones were normal histologically, and adjacent organs showed no macroscopic damage. The mean ablation volumes in the porcine livers treated with HCl-RFA were all larger than those treated with normal saline perfusion during RFA (NS-RFA), at both 30 W and 60 W (p < 0.001). The largest ablation volume and transverse diameter were observed in the porcine livers during 10% HCl-RFA at 60 W, measuring 179.22 (SD = 24.79) cm3 and 6.84 (SD = 0.36) cm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our experiments, HCl-RFA in the liver appears to be as safe as NS-RFA while also resulting in larger ablation zones.

Primary tumor location as a predictor of the benefit of palliative resection for colorectal cancer with unresectable metastasis.

BACKGROUND: It is still under debate that whether stage IV colorectal cancer patients with unresectable metastasis can benefit from primary tumor resection, especially for asymptomatic colorectal cancer patients. Retrospective studies have shown controversial results concerning the benefit from surgery. This retrospective study aims to evaluate whether the site of primary tumor is a predictor of palliative resection in asymptomatic stage IV colorectal cancer patients. METHODS: One hundred ninety-four patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer were selected from Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center Database in the period between January 2007 and December 2013. All information was carefully reviewed and collected, including the treatment, age, sex, carcinoembryonic antigen, site of tumor, histology, cancer antigen 199, number of liver metastases, and largest diameter of liver metastasis. The univariate and multivariate analyses were used to detect the relationship between primary tumor resection and overall survival of unresectable stage IV colorectal cancer patients. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-five received palliative resection, and 69 received only chemotherapy. Multivariate analysis indicated that primary tumor site was one of the independent factors (RR 0.569, P = 0.007) that influenced overall survival. For left-side colon cancer patients, primary tumor resection prolonged the median overall survival time for 8 months (palliative resection vs. no palliative resection: 22 vs. 14 months, P = 0.009); however, for right-side colon cancer patients, palliative resection showed no benefit (12 vs. 10 months, P = 0.910). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that left-side colon cancer patients might benefit from the primary tumor resection in terms of overall survival. This result should be further explored in a prospective study.

The impact of tumor cell differentiation on survival of patients with resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: The current American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system considers tumor cell differentiation grade to be a factor in the staging of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in pathologic T0-3N0M0 cases. However, more data are essential to test its efficacy. We sought to investigate the tumor-node-metastasis categories for which tumor cell grade might affect overall survival in Chinese patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 1,220 patients with ESCC who underwent complete resection between December 1996 and December 2008. Survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and the log-rank test was used to assess differences in survival between groups. Subgroup analyses and the Cox proportional hazards model were used to further determine the effect of tumor cell grade on overall survival. RESULTS: The 5-year survival rates for the G1, G2, and G3 groups of pathologic T2N0M0 ESCC cases were 80.1, 61.9, and 47.4%, respectively (p = 0.015), and these rates in the pathologic T3N0M0 ESCC cases were 66.7, 61.7, and 41.2%, respectively (p = 0.020). However, the differences in the survival of the different tumor cell grade groups of the pathologic T1N0M0 (p = 0.198) and the node positive categories (p = 0.063) were not statistically significant. Multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that tumor cell grade independently affected the overall survival of patients with pathologic T2-3N0M0 ESCC. CONCLUSIONS: The staging of ESCC in the Chinese population should be simplified by omitting tumor cell grade as a variable in patients with pathologic T1N0M0 disease. More data are needed to verify our results.

The prognostic nutritional index predicts survival for patients with extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma, nasal type.

The prognostic nutritional index (PNI), an indicator of nutritional status and systemic inflammation, is associated with survival in several types of tumors. The prognostic value of the PNI in lymphoma remains unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of the PNI in patients with extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTL). This retrospective study in two institutions was comprised of 177 patients with newly diagnosed ENKTL. Patients with a combined albumin (g/L) + 5 × total lymphocyte count × 10(9)/l ≥ 45 were allocated a PNI score of 0. Patients in whom this total was <45 were allocated a score of 1. Patients with a pretreatment PNI score of 1 had more adverse clinical features, lower complete remission rates (p = 0.005), and worse overall survival (OS, p < 0.001) and progression-free survival (p = 0.004) compared with those with a PNI score of 0. Multivariate analysis showed that the PNI (p < 0.001) and tumor mass ≥5 cm (p < 0.001) were independent predictors of worse OS. The PNI was predictive in extranasal disease and nasal disease (both p < 0.05). The PNI could differentiate low-risk patients as classified according to the International Prognostic Index and Prognosis Index for peripheral T cell lymphoma scoring, as well as patients in a different category using the Korean Prognostic Index scores with different survival outcomes (all p < 0.05). The PNI is a powerful predictor of survival in ENKTL. Nutritional status and inflammatory responses at diagnosis might play an important role in survival in patients with ENKTL.

Assessment of Prophylactic Internal Carotid Artery Management in Postradiation Nasopharyngeal Necrosis Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Postradiation nasopharyngeal necrosis (PRNN) frequently develops after second-course radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). PRNN can lead to internal carotid artery (ICA) massive hemorrhage due to ICA rupture, resulting in sudden death. This study aims to explore the pretreatment of the ICA to prevent fatal massive hemorrhage in PRNN patients. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with NPC and PRNN from January 2010 to September 2022 were included. The Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to analyze risk factors for massive hemorrhage and survival. A nomogram was developed to integrate prognostic models and perform parameter calibration. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-four PRNN patients were included in this study. Prophylactic ICA occlusion significantly reduced the risk of ICA hemorrhage compared to no prophylactic ICA occlusion (3.6% vs 40.6%, P < .001). Surgical repair on necrosis significantly prevented hemorrhage and improved survival. The nomogram, incorporating the above 2 factors and the nearest distance from necrosis to ICA ≤ 3 mm, exhibited excellent discriminative ability for hemorrhage. We identified 3 high-risk factors that indicate the need for prophylactic ICA management in PRNN patients: (1) exposure of ICA by rhinoscopy; (2) signs of ICA erosion on MRA scanning; (3) the depth of soft tissue coverage surrounding the ICA wall within the necrotic cavity is less than 3 mm on magnetic resonance imaging. CONCLUSION: We have identified 3 high-risk factors for PRNN patients that necessitate prophylactic ICA management. These findings are expected to contribute to improving the quality of life and overall survival of PRNN patients.

Arterial chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma in China: consensus recommendations.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) treatment is widely accepted as one of the alternative therapeutic modalities for HCC owing to its local control effect and low systemic toxicity. Nevertheless, although accumulating high-quality evidence has displayed the superior survival advantages of HAIC of oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and leucovorin (HAIC-FOLFOX) compared with standard first-line treatment in different scenarios, the lack of standardization for HAIC procedure and remained controversy limited the proper and safe performance of HAIC treatment in HCC. Therefore, an expert consensus conference was held on March 2023 in Guangzhou, China to review current practices regarding HAIC treatment in patients with HCC and develop widely accepted statements and recommendations. In this article, the latest evidence of HAIC was systematically summarized and the final 22 expert recommendations were proposed, which incorporate the assessment of candidates for HAIC treatment, procedural technique details, therapeutic outcomes, the HAIC-related complications and corresponding treatments, and therapeutic scheme management.

[Clinical value of CT-guided (125)I brachytherapy for retroperitoneal metastatic lymph node from PHC].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the clinical value of CT-guided (125)I brachytherapy with retroperitoneal metastatic lymph nodes from primary hepatic carcinoma(PHC). METHODS: Twenty patients with retroperitoneal metastatic lymph node recurrence from PHC were percutaneously treated by (125)I brachytherapy with computed tomographic (CT) guidance. The number, radioactive dose, placed position of radioactive seeds and puncture path were determined by computerized treatment planning system (TPS). The radioactive seeds were implanted when the needles were in right position by CT scan. Radiotherapy verification and quality assessment were performed after treatment by CT scan. Follow-up contrast material-enhanced CT were reviewed. RESULTS: The local control rate of 3, 6, 10, 15 months was 70.0%, 56.3%, 44.4%, 25.0% respectively. There were no severe complications such as massive bleeding and radiation injury of normal tissues. CONCLUSION: CT-guided (125)I brachytherapy are effective and may be safely applied to retroperitoneal metastatic lymph nodes from PHC.

Camrelizumab (a PD-1 inhibitor) plus apatinib (an VEGFR-2 inhibitor) and hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma in Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C (TRIPLET): a phase II study.

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) using a combination of oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and leucovorin (FOLFOX) has shown promise for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients classified under Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage C. In China, the combined therapy of camrelizumab and apatinib is now an approved first-line approach for inoperable HCC. This study (NCT04191889) evaluated the benefit of combining camrelizumab and apatinib with HAIC-FOLFOX for HCC patients in BCLC stage C. Eligible patients were given a maximum of six cycles of HAIC-FOLFOX, along with camrelizumab and apatinib, until either disease progression or intolerable toxicities emerged. The primary outcome measured was the objective response rate (ORR) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) v1.1. Thirty-five patients were enrolled. Based on RECIST v1.1 criteria, the confirmed ORR stood at 77.1% (95% CI: 59.9% to 89.6%), with a disease control rate of 97.1% (95% CI: 85.1% to 99.9%). The median progression-free survival was 10.38 months (95% CI: 7.79 to 12.45). Patient quality of life had a transient deterioration within four cycles of treatment, and generally recovered thereafter. The most frequent grade ≥3 or above treatment-related adverse events included reduced lymphocyte count (37.1%) and diminished neutrophil count (34.3%). The combination of camrelizumab, apatinib, and HAIC demonstrated encouraging results and manageable safety concerns for HCC at BCLC stage C.

Evolutionary route of nasopharyngeal carcinoma metastasis and its clinical significance.

It is critical to understand factors associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) metastasis. To track the evolutionary route of metastasis, here we perform an integrative genomic analysis of 163 matched blood and primary, regional lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis tumour samples, combined with single-cell RNA-seq on 11 samples from two patients. The mutation burden, gene mutation frequency, mutation signature, and copy number frequency are similar between metastatic tumours and primary and regional lymph node tumours. There are two distinct evolutionary routes of metastasis, including metastases evolved from regional lymph nodes (lymphatic route, 61.5%, 8/13) and from primary tumours (hematogenous route, 38.5%, 5/13). The hematogenous route is characterised by higher IFN-γ response gene expression and a higher fraction of exhausted CD8+ T cells. Based on a radiomics model, we find that the hematogenous group has significantly better progression-free survival and PD-1 immunotherapy response, while the lymphatic group has a better response to locoregional radiotherapy.

[Clinical value of CT-guided radiofrequency ablation for retroperitoneal metastatic lymph node from PHC].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical value of radiofrequency ablation with retroperitoneal metastatic lymph nodes from primary hepatic carcinoma (PHC). METHODS: Thirty-two patients with retroperitoneal metastatic lymph node recurrence from PHC were enrolled in our study and the patients were stratified into two groups based on the treatment. Nineteen patients in Group A were percutaneously treated by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with computed tomographic (CT) guidance. Thirteen patients in Group B only underwent RFA for hematogenous metastases, but did not undergo any other treatment for metastatic lymph nodes. Follow-up contrast material-enhanced CT or positron emission tomographic(PET) scans were reviewed and Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were analyzed. RESULTS: The local control rate of 3, 6, 10, 15 months in Group A was 78.9%, 73.3%, 41.7%, 25.0% respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated the patients of Group A had an overall survival of 26.3% at one year compared with 7.7% for those of Group B. Mantel-Cox log rank test showed the one-year survival rate of Group A was significantly higher than that of Group B (P = 0.029). There was no thermal injury of gastrointestinal tract or bile duct during RF ablation in Group A. CONCLUSION: CT-guided RFA are effective and may be safely applied to retroperitoneal metastatic lymph nodes from PHC.

[Interstitial implantation of ¹²5I seed therapy for recurrent ovarian cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility, short-term efficacies and complications of computed tomography (CT)-guided ¹²5I interstitial implant therapy for recurrent ovarian cancer. METHODS: From October 2009 to November 2010, a total of 25 lesions for 12 patients were diagnosed as recurrent ovarian cancer by positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). Among 25 lesions, 21 underwent ¹²5I seed implantation. And 4 lesions of liver and spleen in one patient were treated with microwave ablation. Nine patients underwent 2 - 6 cycles of chemotherapy after seeding. There were 11 lesions with diameter > 2 cm and 10 ≤ 2 cm. According to the area of physiologic 18FDG uptake in lesions, the treatment plans were formulated by computerized treatment planning system (TPS) and Memorial Sloan-Ketterin nomograph. The matched peripheral dose (MPD) was 145 Gy in target mass. A median of 20.5 seeds per patient (range: 9 - 45) were implanted. The efficacies were evaluated by CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT findings. RESULTS: One patient died of renal failure while the other patients survived during a median follow-up of 15 mouths (range: 9 - 19). Ten lesions showed complete remission, 6 partial remission and 5 progressive disease. The effective rate was 76.2% (16/21). Compared with those > 2 cm, the lesions ≤ 2 cm in diameter had a better local control rate by Fisher's exact test (P = 0.035). The hepatic and renal lesions treated by microwave ablation showed inactivation on PET/CT. Only one patient suffered from sciatic nerve injury caused by punctuation and numbness and pain of right lower extremity were persistent. There was no onset of the complications of radiation injury, such as intestinal fistula and proctitis. CONCLUSION: The CT-guided ¹²5I interstitial implant therapy for recurrent ovarian cancer yields excellent short-term efficacies with fewer complications. The combined modality of ¹²5I interstitial implant and chemotherapy may further improve the patient outcomes.

Endoscopic Nasopharyngectomy Combined With Internal Carotid Artery Pretreatment for Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Salvage endoscopic nasopharyngectomy (ENPG) is a reasonable choice for resectable recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (rNPC). However, in past decades, complete removal of the tumor was not feasible when the recurrent lesion was adjacent to the internal carotid artery (ICA). The present article introduces innovative strategies to ensure sufficient surgical margins while avoiding accidental injury to the ICA. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Tertiary care center. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed rT2-3 rNPC patients with tumor lesions adjacent to the ICA (<5 mm) who underwent ENPG at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between January 2015 and June 2020. Thirty-seven patients were selected for this study. Seventeen patients underwent ENPG using direct dissection, 10 patients underwent endoscopic-assisted transcervical protection of the parapharyngeal ICA combined with ENPG, and 10 patients underwent ICA embolization followed by ENPG. RESULTS: With a median follow-up duration of 31 months (range, 5 to 53 months), the 2-year overall survival, progression-free survival, locoregional recurrence-free survival, and distant metastasis-free survival rates of salvage ENPG for rNPC adjacent to the ICA were 88.7%, 72.0%, 72.0%, and 97.3%, respectively. The incidences of grade 1-2 and grade 3-5 postoperative complications were 16.2% and 13.5%, respectively. Two patients experienced ICA rupture during direct dissection but were out of danger after vascular embolization therapy. One patient had a positive margin. Two patients had severe nasopharyngeal wound infections with mucosal flap necrosis. CONCLUSION: ENPG combined with ICA pretreatment allows the feasible and effective resection of rNPC lesions adjacent to the ICA.

Neoantigen landscape in metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: Reportedly, nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients with MHC I Class aberration are prone to poor survival outcomes, which indicates that the deficiency of tumor neoantigens might represent a mechanism of immune surveillance escape in NPC. Methods: To clearly delineate the landscape of neoantigens in NPC, we performed DNA and RNA sequencing on paired primary tumor, regional lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis samples from 26 patients. Neoantigens were predicted using pVACseq pipeline. Subtype prediction model was built using random forest algorithm. Results: Portraying the landscape of neoantigens in NPC for the first time, we found that the neoantigen load of NPC was above average compared to that of other cancers in The Cancer Genome Atlas program. While the quantity and quality of neoantigens were similar among primary tumor, regional lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis samples, neoantigen depletion was more severe in metastatic sites than in primary tumors. Upon tracking the clonality change of neoantigens, we found that neoantigen reduction occurred during metastasis. Building a subtype prediction model based on reported data, we observed that subtype I lacked T cells and suffered from severe neoantigen depletion, subtype II highly expressed immune checkpoint molecules and suffered from the least neoantigen depletion, and subtype III was heterogenous. Conclusions: These results indicate that neoantigens are conducive to the guidance of clinical treatment, and personalized therapeutic vaccines for NPC deserve deeper basic and clinical investigations to make them feasible in the future.

Transoral Robotic Retropharyngeal Lymph Node Dissection in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma With Retropharyngeal Lymph Node Recurrence.

OBJECTIVES: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients with retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) recurrence typically undergo reirradiation and experience severe radiotoxicity. Salvage open surgery is challenging because gaining access to the retropharyngeal space is complex and risky. Thus, only several centers can perform this procedure, and complications are common. We applied transoral robotic surgery RPLN dissection (TORS-RPLND) to NPC patients with RPLN recurrence to address the problem with open surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2017 to October 2020, 10 NPC patients with RPLN recurrence underwent TORS-RPLND using the da Vinci Si/Xi Surgical System. We applied the balloon occlusion test to protect the internal carotid artery, induction chemotherapy to shrink large tumors preoperatively, and ultrasound positioning to effectively locate unrecognizable RPLNs during surgery. Clinical characteristics, complications, and survival outcome data were retrospectively collected. RESULTS: Of 10 patients, 8 underwent en bloc resection via TORS-RPLND, and the remaining 2 patients were converted to open surgery because we failed to identify the RPLN during TORS. After introducing intraoperative ultrasound positioning, no such failure occurred. The mean operative time and intraoperative blood loss were 297 ± 120 min and 40 ± 43 ml, respectively. All surgical margins were negative. TORS-related complications were mild, and the most severe one was grade 3 dysphagia in one patient who underwent conversion to open surgery (10%). With a median follow-up of 19 months, only 1 (10%) patient developed cervical recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: TORS-RPLND is feasible, safe, and effective in the treatment of NPC patients with RPLN recurrence, especially with the help of intraoperative ultrasound positioning. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:E1895-E1902, 2021.

Bronchobiliary fistula after ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma adjacent to the diaphragm: Case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Bronchobiliary fistula is a rare, but life-threatening complication after ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma. Few cases of bronchobiliary fistula have been reported and the treatment is controversial. METHODS: From 2006 to 2019, a total of 11 patients were diagnosed with bronchobiliary fistula after ablation and received nonsurgical treatment. RESULTS: All 11 patients presented with cough and bilioptysis. There were only two patients in which MRI revealed an obvious fistulous tract connecting the pleural effusion and biliary lesions. Pleural effusion, liver abscess and hepatic biloma were found in other patients. Three patients died of uncontrolled bronchobiliary fistula. CONCLUSIONS: Bronchobiliary fistula is a rare post-ablation complication but should be taken into consideration in clinical decisions. Minimally invasive interventional treatment is a relatively effective means of dealing with bronchobiliary fistula, but as for the more severe cases, greater clinical experience is required.

Computed tomography-guided radiofrequency ablation combined with transarterial embolization assisted by a three-dimensional visualization ablation planning system for hepatocellular carcinoma in challenging locations: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of computed tomography-guided radiofrequency ablation(CT-RFA) combined with transarterial embolization(TAE) assisted by a three-dimensional visualization ablation planning system(3DVAPS) for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) in challenging locations. METHODS: Data from 62 treatment-naive patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), with 83 lesions in challenging locations, and who met the Milan criteria and underwent CT-RFA between June 2013 and June 2016 were reviewed. Patients were divided into one of two groups according to different treatment modalities: study group (TAE combined with RFA assisted by 3DVAPS [n = 32]); and control (RFA only [n = 30]). Oncological outcomes included ablation-related complications, local tumor progression (LTP), and overall survival (OS). Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed to assess risk factors associated with LTP and OS. RESULTS: HCC lesions (mean size, 1.9 ± 1.0 mm in diameter) abutting the gastrointestinal tract (n = 25), heart and diaphragm (n = 21), major vessels (n = 13), and gallbladder (n = 3) were treated. A significant difference was detected in LTP between the two groups (P = 0.034), with no significant difference in OS between the two groups (P = 0.193). There were no severe complications related to ablation. Univariate analysis revealed that sex (P = 0.046) and child-turcotte-pugh (CTP) grade (P<0.001) were risk factors for OS, whereas CTP grade and treatment method (P<0.001) were risk factors for LTP. Multivariate analysis revealed that CTP grade B (P = 0.005) was independently associated with poor OS, and RFA alone (P<0.001) was independently associated with poor LTP. CONCLUSION: CT-RFA combined with TAE assisted by a 3DVAPS provided ideal clinical efficiency for HCC in challenging locations and was a highly safe treatment modality.

[Experimental radiofrequency ablation in porcine liver ex vivo with "wet" unipolar electrode].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of radiofrequency ablation in porcine liver ex vivo with "wet" RITA UniBlate unipolar electrode, evaluate the morphologic characteristic of the ablated zones and explore the impact upon the ablation lesions of time, temperature and set power of "wet" monopolar electrodes. METHODS: The maximal effective ablation electrode length of this "wet" unipolar electrode is 2.5 cm. According to ablation time, temperature and power respectively, the experiment was divided into three major groups of A, B, C (11 sub-groups). The investigators observed the morphological characteristics of ablation lesions, measured the longitudinal and transverse distance of ablation beyond the electrode tip and calculated the volume of ablation lesion. Statistical analysis was performed with one-way ANOVA upon the above-mentioned four parameters. And the pathological examinations were made with HE staining. RESULTS: (1) All of ablated zones were ellipsoid. The cross-section of ablation lesions appeared to have 3 zones from the inside out: central zone, coagulated zone, hemorrhage and edema zone. (2) When ablating time and temperature increased to 15 min and 103 degrees C respectively, the ablated zones peaked: longitudinal diameter, transverse diameter, ablation distance beyond electrode tip and volume of each ablated zone was (3.49 +/- 0.09) cm, (2.40 +/- 0.13) cm, (0.79 +/- 0.09) cm and (10.6 +/- 1.3) cm(3) respectively. With power as a variable, different sizes between ablated zones showed no statistical significance. (3) The morphology of ablated zones became irregular when the electrodes were located around larger blood vessels. CONCLUSION: The ablating time and temperature are the major factors of affecting the size of radiofrequency ablation lesion with RITA "wet" unipolar electrode.

[Clinical value of percutaneous ethanol ablation in complicated renal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To probe clinical value of percutaneous ethanol ablation (PEA) in complicated renal carcinoma. METHODS: 10 cases complicated renal carcinoma patients with 16 lesions ranged from 1.7-8.4 cm totally, renal cancer in 7 cases, renal hamartoma in 3 cases,underwent CT guided percutaneous ethanol ablation (PEA) by local anesthesia Plain and contrast CT scan was adopted to evaluate clinical effect and make follow-up. RESULTS: Each patient accepted 2 times PEA in average with follow-up time ranged from 2 to 26 months averaged in 18 months. No recurrence was seen in 1 case isolated renal patient unfortunately with renal cancer through 1 year and 9 months follow-up after 2 times PEA. The other isolated renal cancer patient died of acute renal failure after 4 times PEA. Lesions were fully ablated in 2 cases renal cancer patients with low back pain and blood urine and symptoms disappeared after PEA accordingly. Other 3 cases renal cancer patients went through 1 year and 6 months, 2 years and 2 months, and 1 year follow-up respectively. 1 case died of distant metastasis and 2 cases kept stabilization evaluated by CT scan. Hemorrhage within lesions disappeared in 2 cases renal hamartoma after just one time PEA, which kept stabilization through 1 year, 1 year and 10 months follow-up respectively. 1 case hamartoma patient gave up treatment after 2 times PEA. No complications including urinary fistula, hemorrhage, intestinal perforation and needle track implantation were seen in all patients. CONCLUSION: CT guided PEA is a microinvasive, positive curative effect and facultative method in treating complicated renal carcinomas. But for isolated renal patient with renal cancer,PEA should be performed cautiously.

[Clinical effect of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with high intensity focused ultrasound ablation in treatment of large hepatocellular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation in treatment of large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Sixty-eight patients with unresectable HCC were randomized into 2 age, tumor size, TNM stages, and liver function grade-matched groups: TACE group (n=30) undergoing TACE and TACE+HIFU group (n=38) undergoing 2-3 weeks after TACE. A total of 88 tumors (9.3+/-3.2) (5.0-14.5) cm in diameter were detected, and the largest tumor in a specific patients with multiple lesions was selected for observation. Follow-up was conducted for (13+/-7) (3-24) months to observe the necrosis of tumor, size of tumor, local recurrence, and survival of patient. RESULTS: The clinical symptom remission rate was 90.6% (29/32) in the TACE+HIFU group and 70.8% (28/38) in the TACE group. The tumor necrosis and minification rates of the TACE+HIFU and TACE groups were 73.7% and 68.4% respectively, both significantly higher than those of TACE group (26.7% and 33.3% respectively, both P<0.01). The tumor local recurrence rate of the TACE+HIFU group was 21.1%, not significantly different from that of the TACE group (33.3%, P>0.05). The median survival duration of the TACE+HIFU group was 18 months, significantly longer than that of the TACE group (10 months, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with the TACE therapy alone, the combination therapy improves the tumor necrosis rate and prolongs the patients' survival duration.