Electrode Radiofrequency Ablation Superior for Treating Liver Cancer
University of Wisconsin researchers at the school’s Madison campus are examining alternative methods to treat patients with liver cancer, noting limitations with current radiofrequency ablation procedures. The team published their recent research findings using electrode radiofrequency ablation in the June issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.
The team reports good local control of malignant tumors with this treatment method. All the tumors except one responded to this treatment modality. 89 percent of the tumors were effectively treated in just one therapy session.
Study results for treatment efficacy are comparable to findings with single-electrode radiofrequency. Also noteworthy is the decreased time required to treat tumors with this alternative ablation modality. This study further demonstrates the safety of this approach.
Nonetheless, the research team cautions that these are preliminary findings. Data describing long-term survival will take some years to accumulate. The study was conducted in a small cohort of 23 patients with 38 malignant tumors.
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