This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) eLetters: Submit a response to this article Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services E-mail this article link to a friend Related articles in The Oncologist Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints/Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Bilchik, A. J. Articles by Allegra, D. P. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Bilchik, A. J. Articles by Allegra, D. P.

Radiofrequency Ablation of Unresectable Hepatic Malignancies: Lessons Learned

^a Department of Surgical Oncology, John Wayne Cancer Institute, Santa Monica, California, USA; ^b the Cancer Center at Century City Hospital, Los Angeles, California, USA

Correspondence: Anton J. Bilchik, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S., John Wayne Cancer Institute, 2200 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica, California 90404, USA. Telephone: 310-449-5206; Fax: 310-449-5261; e-mail: bilchika{at}jwci.org

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is increasingly used for the local destruction of unresectable hepatic malignancies. Relative contraindications include tumors in proximity to vital structures that may be injured by RFA and lesions whose size exceeds the ablation capabilities of the probe system employed. Given current technology, we believe that RFA should be cautiously utilized for lesions greater than 5 cm in diameter. Open (celiotomy) and laparoscopic approaches to RFA allow intraoperative ultrasonography, which may demonstrate occult hepatic disease. In addition, RFA performed via celiotomy can be accompanied by resection or cryosurgical ablation, and isolation of the liver from adjacent organs. Percutaneous RFA should be reserved for patients who cannot undergo general anesthesia, those with recurrent or progressive lesions, and those with smaller lesions sufficiently isolated from adjacent organs. Complications may be minimized when these approaches are selectively applied.

Key Words. Radiofrequency ablation • Hepatic malignancies

Related articles in The Oncologist:

Emerging New Opportunities for Patients with Hepatic Metastases from Colorectal Cancer or Primary Hepatocellular Cancer

H.M. Pinedo and C.J. van Groeningen
The Oncologist 2001 6: 12-13. [Full Text]  

Radiofrequency Ablation of Malignant Liver Tumors

Steven A. Curley
The Oncologist 2001 6: 14-23. [Abstract] [Full Text]  

This article has been cited by other articles:

				T. M. Pawlik, R. D. Schulick, and M. A. Choti Expanding Criteria for Resectability of Colorectal Liver Metastases Oncologist, January 1, 2008; 13(1): 51 - 64. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				X. Chen, J. Lin, T. Kanekura, J. Su, W. Lin, H. Xie, Y. Wu, J. Li, M. Chen, and J. Chang A Small Interfering CD147-Targeting RNA Inhibited the Proliferation, Invasiveness, and Metastatic Activity of Malignant Melanoma Cancer Res., December 1, 2006; 66(23): 11323 - 11330. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Nakamura, E. Taguchi, T. Miura, A. Yamamoto, K. Takahashi, F. Bichat, N. Guilbaud, K. Hasegawa, K. Kubo, Y. Fujiwara, et al. KRN951, a Highly Potent Inhibitor of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinases, Has Antitumor Activities and Affects Functional Vascular Properties. Cancer Res., September 15, 2006; 66(18): 9134 - 9142. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Herrmann, L. O. Lerman, D. Mukhopadhyay, C. Napoli, and A. Lerman Angiogenesis in Atherogenesis Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, September 1, 2006; 26(9): 1948 - 1957. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. L. Nguyen, W. J. Scott, and M. Goldberg Radiofrequency ablation of lung malignancies. Ann. Thorac. Surg., July 1, 2006; 82(1): 365 - 371. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. M. Pawlik, J.-N. Vauthey, E. K. Abdalla, R. E. Pollock, L. M. Ellis, and S. A. Curley Results of a Single-Center Experience With Resection and Ablation for Sarcoma Metastatic to the Liver Arch Surg, June 1, 2006; 141(6): 537 - 544. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. M. Sutherland, J. A. R. Williams, R. T. A. Padbury, D. C. Gotley, B. Stokes, and G. J. Maddern Radiofrequency ablation of liver tumors: a systematic review. Arch Surg, February 1, 2006; 141(2): 181 - 190. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Podar and K. C. Anderson The pathophysiologic role of VEGF in hematologic malignancies: therapeutic implications Blood, February 15, 2005; 105(4): 1383 - 1395. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Livraghi, L. Solbiati, M. F. Meloni, G. S. Gazelle, E. F. Halpern, and S. N. Goldberg Treatment of Focal Liver Tumors with Percutaneous Radio-frequency Ablation: Complications Encountered in a Multicenter Study Radiology, February 1, 2003; 226(2): 441 - 451. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B.S. Langenhoff, W.J.G. Oyen, G.J. Jager, S.P. Strijk, Th. Wobbes, F.H.M. Corstens, and T.J.M. Ruers Efficacy of Fluorine-18-Deoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography in Detecting Tumor Recurrence After Local Ablative Therapy for Liver Metastases: A Prospective Study J. Clin. Oncol., November 15, 2002; 20(22): 4453 - 4458. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. L. Gabrilove Hematologic Malignancies: An Opportunity for Targeted Drug Therapy Oncologist, October 1, 2001; 6(2008): 1 - 3. [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. L. Gabrilove Angiogenic Growth Factors: Autocrine and Paracrine Regulation of Survival in Hematologic Malignancies Oncologist, October 1, 2001; 6(2008): 4 - 7. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H.M. Pinedo and C.J. van Groeningen Emerging New Opportunities for Patients with Hepatic Metastases from Colorectal Cancer or Primary Hepatocellular Cancer Oncologist, February 1, 2001; 6(1): 12 - 13. [Full Text]