Table 1.
Studies examining radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
| RFA | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Author (Year) | Study Type and Time Period | Patient Population | Technique | Outcomes | Complications |
| Single Cohorts | |||||
| Chu (2021) [27] | Retrospective Study 1999–2019 |
N = 40 Mean 56.3 y/o Recurrent ICC after curative SR Tumor size < 5 cm |
Percutaneous US-guided RFA | Median OS = 26.6 mo OS 3, 5 yr: 36.2%, 18.3% |
Major = 4.7% |
| Brandi (2020) [16] | Retrospective Study 01/2014–06/2019 |
N = 29 Mean 63 y/o Unresectable ICC Tumor size < 5 cm |
Percutaneous US-guided RFA S = median 3 |
LTPFS = 9.27 mo OS = 27.5 mo |
Majorc = 7% Minorc = 14% |
| Laimer (2020) [19] | Case Report 2007–2019 |
N = 1 72 y/o Unresectable ICC Tumor size = 10 cm |
SRFA S = 10 |
OS > 11 yr | Majorc = 1× Minorc = 2× |
| Lee (2020) [20] | Retrospective Study 2009–2016 |
N = 20 Mean 60 y/o Primary and recurrent ICC with curative intent Tumor size < 3 cm |
SR + US-guided IORFA | OS 6 mo, 1, 3, 5 yr: 95%, 79%, 27%, 14% LTPFS 6 mo, 1, 3, 5 yr: 70%, 33%, 13%, 13% Median OS = 22 mo |
Major = 5% |
| Takahashi (2018) [26] | Retrospective Study 02/2006–11/2015 |
N = 20 Mean 62.5 y/o Primary and recurrent ICC Tumor size < 5 cm |
Percutaneous US or CT-guided RFA and MWA | Median DFS = 8.2 mo Median OS = 23.6 mo |
Major = 0% Minor = 10% |
| Butros (2014) [28] | Case Series 01/1998–06/2011 |
N = 7 Mean 65 y/o Primary and recurrent ICC Tumor size < 5 cm |
Percutaneous CT or CT + US-guided RFA S = 1 |
LTPFS = 36.3 mo OS 1, 3, 5 yr: 100%, 60%, 20% |
Major = 0% Minor = 0% |
| Fu (2012) [13] | Retrospective Study 01/2000–07/2010 |
N = 17 Median 54.5 y/o Unresectable primary and recurrent ICC Tumor size < 7 cm |
Percutaneous US-guided RFA and IORFA S = mean 1.64 |
OS 1, 3, 5 yr: 84.6%, 43.3%, 28.9% Median RFT = 17 mo Median OS = 33 mo |
Major = 3.6% Minor = 47% |
| Haidu (2012) [18] | Retrospective Study 12/2004–06/2010 |
N = 11 Median 61 y/o Unresectable ICC Tumor size 0.5–10 cm |
Percutaneous SRFA S = mean 2 |
OS 1, 3 yr: 91%, 71% Median OS = 60 mo |
Major = 13% |
| Xu (2012) [25] | Retrospective Study 10/1998–8/2010 |
N = 18 Mean 60 y/o Primary and recurrent ICC with curative intent Tumor size < 7 cm |
Percutaneous US-guided RFA and MWA | All OS 6 mo, 1, 3, 5 yr: 66.7%, 36.3%, 30.3%, 30.3% Primary ICC OS 6 mo, 1, 3, 5 yr: 87.5%, 75%, 62.5%, 62.5% Median OS = 29.3 mo |
Major = 5.5% Minor = 5.5% |
| Giorgio (2011) [29] | Case Series 01/2003–10/2010 |
N = 10 Median 70 y/o Unresectable ICC Tumor size 2.4–7 cm |
Percutaneous US-guided RFA S = 1–2 |
OS 1, 3, 5 yr: 100%, 83.3%, 83.3% |
Major = 0% Minor = 30% |
| Kim (2011) [14] | Retrospective Study 10/1999–03/2009 |
N = 20 Recurrent ICC after curative SR Tumor size 0.7–4.4 cm |
Percutaneous US-guided RFA S = mean 1.45 |
Mean LTPFS = 39.8 mo OS 6 mo 1, 2, 4 yr: 95%, 70%, 60%, 21% Median OS = 27.4 mo |
Major = 7% Minor = 55% |
| Kim (2011) [12] | Case Series 02/2000–06/2009 |
N = 13 Mean 58.2 y/o Primary unresectable ICC Tumor size 0.9–8 cm |
Percutaneous US-guided RFA S = mean 1.3 |
LTPFS = 32.2 mo OS 1, 3, 5 yr: 85%, 51%, 15% Median OS = 38.5 mo |
Major = 6% Minor = 77% |
| Carrafiello (2010) [24] | Case Series 02/2004–07/2008 |
N = 6 Mean 69.8 y/o Unresectable ICC Tumor size 1.0–5.8 cm |
Percutaneous US-guided RFA S = mean 1.5 |
Median OS = 20 mo | Major = 0% Minor = 17% |
| Kamphues (2010) [15] | Retrospective Study 04/2002–05/2008 |
N = 13 Median 62 y/o Recurrent ICC after SR or RFA Tumor size < 5 cm |
IORFA vs. percutaneous US-guided RFA | Mean TTR1: 14 mo Mean TTR2: 14.6 mo OS 1, 3 yr: 92%, 52% Median OS = 51 mo |
Major = 7.6% |
| Chiou (2005) [30] | Case Series 01/2002–10/2004 |
N = 10 Mean 66.2 y/o Unresectable ICC Tumor size 1.9–6.8 cm |
Percutaneous US-guided RFA S = mean 1.2 |
Total tumor necrosis = 80% | Major = 10% Minor = 0% |
| Comparative Cohorts | |||||
| Xiang (2020) [17] | Retrospective Cohort Study 2004–2014 |
N = 34 RFA N = 150 SR Stage I, Tumor size < 5 cm |
RFA vs. SR | OS 1, 3, 5 yr: RFA = 89.9%, 42.4%, 23.9% SR = 87.4%, 73.3%, 61.5% Median OS RFA = 39 mo Median OS SR = 38 mo |
|
| Wu (2019) [31] | Retrospective Cohort Study 2004–2013 |
N = 86 RFA N = 419 ChR Nonsurgical patients Stage I or II, Tumor size < 5 cm |
RFA vs. ChR | 5 yr OS Stage I: RFA = 20.1% ChR = 3.7% 3 yr OS Stage II: ND |
|
Abbreviations: ChR = chemoradiation; CT = computed tomography; DFS = disease-free survival; ICC = intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma; IORFA = intraoperative radiofrequency ablation; LTPFS = local tumor progression-free survival; mo = month; MWA = microwave ablation; ND = no difference between groups; OS = overall survival; RFA = radiofrequency ablation; RFT = recurrence-free time; S = number of sessions; SFRA = stereotactic radiofrequency ablation; SR = surgical resection; TTR1 = time to 1st recurrence relative to primary surgical resection; TTR2 = time to 2nd recurrence relative to primary surgical resection; US = ultrasound; x = occurrences; yr = years; y/o = years old.