RF ablation 'biopsy' shows prognostic potential

The histopathology of residual tissue from radiofrequency ablation probes after ablation of hepatocellular carcinomas could predict local tumor progression independently from other tests, according to a study presented at the 2007 Society of Interventional Radiology meeting.

Dr. Constantinos T. Sofocleous, an interventional radiologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, and colleagues prospectively classified 55 specimens harvested from RFA probes after liver treatment as coagulation necrosis and 13 as viable tumors. They found that these tissue samples could predict when RFA treatment would not be successful. Primary local tumor progression occurred in 92% of viable tumors versus 29% of those identified by post-RFA biopsy as necrotic. Investigators also found the long-term progression-free interval was about six times greater in the necrotic group. Both findings were statistically significant (p < 0.001).