Low-output radiofrequency ablation combined with transcatheter arterial oily-chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma

We devised low-output radiofrequency ablation (RFA)combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization using iodized oil mixed with anticancer drugs (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), to reduce the cooling effect of tumoral arterial blood flow, to prevent intraportal disseminations and intrahepatic metastases by sudden ebullition (bumping), and to obtain an adequate margin of safety. We performed low-output RFA on 10 HCC patients. We performed RFA with a lower output of 90W or less within two weeks after TACE. After the ablation, portal venous-phase CT images showed a low-density margin of 5 mm or larger around the site of iodized-oil accumulation, indicating that the necrotic area completely included the tumor. No intrahepatic metastasis or severe complication occurred. Low-output RFA combined with TACE is a safe, effective therapy for HCC.