Severe complications of radiofrequency ablation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: an analysis of 3,891 ablations in 2,614 patients

Abstract

Objective: To clarify information on and frequency of complications as well as mortality rate after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods: The results of a questionnaire obtained mainly from members of the Osaka Liver Cancer Study Group at 43 departments of 38 facilities were analyzed in order to clarify the current status of RFA, and information on and frequency of complications and death occurring after RFA.

Results: Between January 1999 and May 2002, a total of 3,891 RFA therapies were performed percutaneously in 2,542 patients, laparoscopically in 23, and operatively in 49 (2,614 patients in total). Complications were observed in 207 of 2,614 patients (7.9%), and 9 (0.3%) died within 3 months after RFA. Among these 9 nonsurvivors, 3 had liver failure, 3 rapid progression and sarcomatous changes, 1 biliary injury, 1 gastrointestinal bleeding, and 1 acute myocardial infarction. The departments that treated larger numbers of patients per month had a smaller number of complications and deaths.

Conclusion: It is possible that complications of RFA can be reduced by gathering experience.