Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Radiofrequency Ablation: A Case Series

Abstract

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (EUS-RFA) is an emerging technique for treating pancreatic and neuroendocrine tumors in patients who are not candidates for surgery. However, there is limited evidence of EUS-RFA in hepatic cancers. The present case series describes five elderly patients with compensated cirrhotic hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) treated locally using EUS-RFA. Alpha-fetoprotein levels were reduced in patients after 1 month of the procedure. Computed tomography analysis also reported a reduction in HCCs in patients postoperatively. Repeat computed tomography triple-phase abdomen also showed complete radiological response to treatment in lesions <3 cm. None of the patients reported any procedural adverse event. EUS-RFA offers safe ablation of <3 cm HCC lesions.