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Rofo 2022; 194(10): 1075-1086
DOI: 10.1055/a-1768-0954
Review

Update on Percutaneous Local Ablative Procedures for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Article in several languages: English | deutsch
Lukas Luerken
1   Department of Radiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Germany
,
Michael Haimerl
2   Institut für Röntgendiagnostik, University Hospital Regensburg, Germany
,
Michael Doppler
3   Department of Radiology, University Hospital Freiburg Department of Radiology, Freiburg, Germany
,
Wibke Uller
3   Department of Radiology, University Hospital Freiburg Department of Radiology, Freiburg, Germany
,
Lukas Philipp Beyer
2   Institut für Röntgendiagnostik, University Hospital Regensburg, Germany
4   Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie, Klinikum Ernst von Bergmann gGmbH, Potsdam, Germany
,
Christian Stroszczynski
1   Department of Radiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Germany
,
Ingo Einspieler
1   Department of Radiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Germany
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Abstract

Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common tumor worldwide. Because many hepatocellular carcinomas are already unresectable at the time of initial diagnosis, percutaneous tumor ablation has become established in recent decades as a curative therapeutic approach for very early (BCLC 0) and early (BCLC A) HCC. The aim of this paper is to provide a concise overview of the percutaneous local ablative procedures currently in use, based on their technical characteristics as well as clinical relevance, taking into account the current body of studies.

Materials and Methods The literature search included all original papers, reviews, and meta-analyses available via MEDLINE and Pubmed on the respective percutaneous ablation procedures; the primary focus was on randomized controlled trials and publications from the last 10 years.

Results and Conclusions Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) are well-established procedures that are considered equal to surgical resection in the treatment of stage BCLC 0 and A HCC with a diameter up to 3 cm due to their strong evidence in international and national guidelines. For tumors with a diameter between 3 and 5 cm, the current S3 guidelines recommend a combination of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and thermal ablation using RFA or MWA as combination therapy is superior to thermal ablation alone in tumors of this size and shows comparable results to surgical resection in terms of overall survival. Alternative, less frequently employed thermal procedures include cryotherapy (CT) and laser ablation (LA). Non-thermal procedures include irreversible electroporation (IRE), interstitial brachytherapy (IBT), and most recently, electrochemotherapy (ECT). Due to insufficient evidence, these have only been used in individual cases and within the framework of studies. However, the nonthermal methods are a reasonable alternative for ablation of tumors adjacent to large blood vessels and bile ducts because they cause significantly less damage to these structures than thermal ablation methods. With advances in the technology of the respective procedures, increasingly good evidence, and advancements in supportive techniques such as navigation devices and fusion imaging, percutaneous ablation procedures may expand their indications for the treatment of larger and more advanced tumors in the coming years.

Key Points:

  • RFA and MWA are considered equal to surgical resection as a first-line therapy for the curative treatment of stage BCLC 0 and A HCCs with a diameter of up to 3 cm.

  • For HCCs with a diameter between 3 and 5 cm, a combination of TACE and RFA or MWA is recommended. This combination therapy yields results comparable to those of surgical resection in terms of overall survival.

  • Due to insufficient evidence, alternative ablation methods have only been used in individual cases and within the framework of studies. However, nonthermal methods, such as IRE, IBT, and, most recently, ECT, are a reasonable alternative for ablation of HCCs adjacent to large blood vessels and bile ducts because they cause significantly less damage to these structures than thermal ablation methods.

Citation Format

  • Luerken L, Haimerl M, Doppler M et al. Update on Percutaneous Local Ablative Procedures for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2022; 194: 1075 – 1086

Key words

abdomen - ablation procedures - percutaneous


Publication History

Received: 13 August 2021

Accepted: 31 January 2022

Article published online:
11 May 2022

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