Percutaneous ultrasound-guided thermal ablation for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the treatment efficacy and overall survival (OS) of percutaneous ultrasound-guided thermal ablation by means of microwave ablation or radiofrequency ablation for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Methods: 18 patients with 25 ICC nodules underwent ultrasound-guided thermal ablation with curative intention. 8 patients were primary cases and 10 were recurrent cases after curative resection. The local treatment response, complications and survivals were analysed. Results: Complete ablation was achieved in 23 (92.0%, 23/25) nodules (diameter, 0.7–4.3 cm; mean, 2.5±0.9 cm) and incomplete ablation was found in 2 (8.0%, 2/25) larger tumours (6.4 and 6.9 cm in diameter). No death associated with the treatment was found. The major complication rate was 5.5% (1/18). The follow-up periods ranged from 1.3 to 86.2 months (mean, 20.5±26.3 months; median, 8.7 months). OS rates for all patients at 6, 12, 36 and 60 months were 66.7%, 36.3%, 30.3% and 30.3%, respec...