Background/aims: Percutaneous tumor ablation (PTA), such as ethanol injection, is currently accepted as a potentially curative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Percutaneous tumor ablation is presumed to be relatively non-invasive, but there are few studies on long-term follow-up of liver function after tumor ablation.
Methods: Changes in liver functions were monitored in 227 consecutive patients treated for a solitary HCC nodule by PTA between 1993 and 1997. The liver function evaluated based on Child-Turcotte classification prior to the initial treatment was Child A in 119 (52.4%) patients, B in 81(35.7%), and C in 27 (11.9%). The follow-up period was 46 +/- 21 months.
Results: The five-year survival rates of patients in Child A, B, and C group after treatment were respectively 76%, 45%, and 43%. Annual shift rate of Child A to Child B was 7%, and that of Child B to Child C was 14%. Tumor recurrence significantly affected aggravation of liver function in Child A (P = 0.002) but not in Child B patients (P = 0.55). Tumor size at initial treatment influenced changes of liver function in Child B group patients (P = 0.009).
Conclusions: Preservation of liver function may be essential when treating HCC patients with impaired liver function.