Safety and technical feasibility of percutaneous ablation for lymph node metastases of hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the safety and technical feasibility of percutaneous ablation therapy for lymph node (LN) metastases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Material and Methods: A total of 31 consecutive HCC patients with LN metastases who were treated with ablation were included in this retrospective study. Percutaneous ablation was performed under local anesthesia and computed tomography-guidance. The primary endpoint was technique success; secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and local progressionfree survival (LPFS). Survival curves were constructed using Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The median diameter of metastatic LNs was 30 mm (range, 10-77 mm). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 74.6%, 50.3%, and 50.3%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year PFS rates were 24.7%, 0%, and not available for calculation (NA), respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year LPFS rates were 78.7%, 69.9%, and 69.9%, respectively. The technique success and technical effectiveness rates were 100% and 64.5%, respectively. The technical effectiveness rates were 65.4% (17/26) and 60% (3/5) in abdominal LN metastases and distant LN metastases, respectively. Only one patient (1/31, 3.2%) had major complications (massive pleural effusion and severe pneumonia) related to ablation. Minor complications related to ablation included mild abdominal pain (10/31, 32.3%) and self-limiting hematoma (2/ 31, 6.5%). No ablation-related death occurred. Conclusion: Percutaneous ablation appears to be a safe and feasible method for treatment of metastatic LNs in patients with HCC.

A practical nomogram from the SEER database to predict the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients with lymph node metastasis

“…However, the 1-and 3-year overall survival rates were only 62% and 31%, respectively, for HCC patients with nodal involvement [14] . It is undeniable that lymph node metastasis is a poor prognostic factor for hepatocellular carcinoma [9,15] . However, with the development of various treatments and drugs in recent years, the prognosis of HCC patients with lymph node metastases has been improving [16][17][18] .…”

A practical nomogram predicting the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients with lymph node metastasis: A population-based analysis

“…As previously mentioned, the prognosis of HCC patients with LN metastasis is improving, and some studies have shown that stage IV HCC patients demonstrated a different prognosis [14][15][16] . Therefore, it is important to distinguish the difference in prognosis in such patients.…”

“…In our research, 6.6% of all HCC patients had LN metastasis, which was consistent with the results reported in the previous study. Regarding the prognosis of such patients, the emergence of novel treatments, including radiation, ablation, interventional therapy, and sorafenib, has improved the prognosis [15,[23][24][25] . Our study also showed that the HCC patients with LN metastasis can benefit from radiation and chemotherapy.…”

“…It is undeniable that lymph node metastasis is a poor prognostic factor for hepatocellular carcinoma [9] . However, with the development of various treatments and drugs in recent years, the prognosis of HCC patients with lymph node metastases has been improving [14][15][16] . Previous studies have shown that patients who were diagnosed with stage IV demonstrated a different prognosis, indicating that hereditary factors could contribute to the prognosis of such patients [16] .…”

Microwave Ablation for Papillary Thyroid Cancer With Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis

“…Several investigators have reported that thermal ablation is safe and effective in treating low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinomas [8][9][10] and metastatic lymph nodes [11][12][13][14]. Until recently, the bene cial role of MWA on PTC with CLNM hasn't been investigated.…”