Multiple-electrode radiofrequency ablation is safe and effective in treating large malignant liver tumors and can be done in less time than current ablation techniques, according to an article in the June issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

“One of the biggest limitations of current radiofrequency ablation techniques is the inability to effectively treat large tumors” said Paul Laeseke, PhD, lead author of the study. “Current radiofrequency ablation systems can only power one electrode and create relatively small ablation zones. Large tumors are treated by sequentially overlapping the small ablation zones--a technique that is both complicated and time consuming.”

The study consisted of 38 malignant liver tumors in 23 patients who underwent multiple-electrode radiofrequency ablation. Local control was achieved in 37 of 38 tumors, with 34 tumors treated during just one session. The total ablation time was reduced by an estimated 54 percent compared with time if patients had been treated using a single-electrode system.

“A reduction in procedure time would make staff and imaging equipment available for other cases,” said Laeseke. “The treatment success rates in this study are comparable to those reported in the literature for smaller tumors treated with single-electrode radiofrequency. In other words, the multiple-electrode system allowed us to effectively treat larger tumors in less time.”

Laeseke cautioned though that these are short-term results. “While the short-term results are promising and demonstrate that multiple-electrode radiofrequency ablation is safe and effective, longer term follow-up is needed to determine the impact of multiple-electrode radiofrequency ablation on patient survival and tumor recurrence rates.”