Radiofrequency versus Microwave Ablation after Neoadjuvant Transarterial Bland and Drug Eluting Microsphere Chembolization for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Publication date: Available online 20 February 2017
Source:Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology
Author(s): Lindsay M. Thornton, Roniel Cabrera, Melissa Kapp, Michael Lazarowicz, Jeff Vogel, Beau Toskich
AimTo retrospectively compare the initial response, local recurrence, and complication rates of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) vs microwave ablation (MWA) when combined with neoadjuvant bland transarterial embolization (TAE) or drug eluting microsphere chemoembolization (TACE) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsA total of 35 subjects with BCLC very early and early stage HCC (range 1.2–4.1cm) underwent TAE (23) or TACE (12) with RFA (15) or MWA (20) from 1/2009–6/2015 as either definitive therapy or a bridge to transplant. TAE and TACE were performed with 40–400 μm particles and 30–100 μm plus either Doxorubicin or Epirubicin eluting microspheres respectively. Initial response and local progression were evaluated using modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST). Complications were graded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0.ResultsComplete response (CR) rates were 80% (12/15) for RFA + TAE/TACE and 95% (19/20) for MWA + TAE/TACE (p value 0.29). Local recurrence (LR) was 30% (4/12) for RFA + TAE/TACE and 0% (0/19) for MWA + TAE/TACE. Durability of response (DR), defined as local disease control for duration of the study, demonstrated a significant difference in favor of MWA (p value 0.0091). There was no statistical difference in complication rates (3 vs 2).ConclusionsMWA and RFA when combined with neoadjuvant TAE or TACE have similar safety and efficacy in the treatment of early stage HCC. MWA provided more durable disease control in this study, however, prospective data remains necessary to evaluate superiority of either modality.



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