Clinical and survival outcomes of percutaneous microwave ablation for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) and explore the prognostic factors for the survival of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).

Methods: A total of 107 patients (age: mean 58.0 years, range 15–85 years) with 171 ICCs (maximum size ≤5 cm, tumour number per patient ≤3) who underwent MWA for ICC during January 2009 to February 2016 were selected, and their clinical and pathological data were collected and reviewed. The MWA-associated mortality, major complication rate and survival were evaluated. The prognostic factors for survival in patients with ICC were analysed with univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results: The median follow-up after MWA was 20.1 months (2.8–63.5 months). There was no procedure-associated death. The overall procedure-associated major complication rate was 2.8%. The median PFS after MWA was 8.9 months; PFS rates after 6, 12, 18 and 24 months were 67.4%, 41.5%, 18.2% and 8.7%. The median OS was 28.0 months; OS rates after 1, 3 and 5 years were 93.5%, 39.6% and 7.9%. Child-Pugh class A and less tumour number were identified as factors predictive of prolonged PFS (HR for Child–Pugh class: 2.62, p = 0.001; HR for tumour number: 2.07, p = 0.002) and OS (HR for Child–Pugh class: 4.14, p < 0.001; HR for tumour number: 1.95, p = 0.024).

Conclusions: Percutaneous ultrasound-guided MWA is safe and effective for ICC. Child–Pugh class A and less tumour number predict prolonged PFS and OS in patients with ICC treated by MWA.

Keywords:

• Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
• microwave ablation
• percutaneous
• ultrasound
• outcome

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology Support Program of China [grant no. 2013BAI01B01] and the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant nos. 81430039, 81627803].

Disclosure statement

No conflict of interest exits in the submission of this manuscript. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology Support Program of China [grant no. 2013BAI01B01] and the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant nos. 81430039, 81627803].