Analysis of factors predicting survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with percutaneous laser ablation.

Background/aims: The factors which predict the long-term outcome in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who are treated with percutaneous laser ablation (PLA) are not well established.

Methods: We prospectively analyzed treatment and survival parameters of 148 cirrhotic patients with nonsurgical hepatocellular carcinoma who had undergone PLA at a single institution during an 11-year period.

Results: Single tumors were seen in 129 of 148 (87%) patients, and 2-3 nodules were seen in 19 (13%) patients, for a total of 169 tumors.

Percutaneous laser ablation in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with small tumors: analysis of factors affecting the achievement of tumor necrosis.

Purpose: To identify the factors that affect the achievement of tumor necrosis with percutaneous laser ablation (PLA) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and tumor size no larger than 4.0 cm.

Materials And Methods: Ultrasound-guided biopsy results were retrospectively studied in 99 lesions (range, 0.