Ablación percutánea por radiofrecuencia y microondas de lesiones focales hepáticas, experiencia en un hospital de alta complejidad.

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has high worldwide prevalence and mortality rate. Treatment of small HCC with image-guided locoregional techniques in patients candidates for liver transplantation, works effectively in decreasing lesions size, with low complication rates. Objective: To describe the experience in radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) of hepatic focal lesions probably or definitely HCC in the transplant center of a fourth level hospital. Materials and methods: From 2013 to 2019, 97 patients were treated with RFA/MWA at Fundación Cardioinfantil, for a total of 158 ablation procedures. Clinical data, number and size of lesions, response and complications were retrospectively reviewed. Univariate and bivariate analysis was performed using SPSS and R. Results: 68 patients were analyzed, 64,7% were men, with mean age of 68,2 years. Alcohol (23,5%) was the most related cause of cirrhosis (58,8% Child A). Most lesions LIRADS (LR) 4 (probably HCC) or LR 5 (definitely HCC), had an average size of 2,4 cm. Complete response was observed in 76,5% lesions. Conclusion: Ablation is a locoregional treatment technique that produce heat and inducing tumor destruction by liquefaction necrosis. This is a safe technique, with a low complications rate and works as a bridge therapy in patients enrolled for transplant.