THE ROLE OF RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION IN TREATMENT OF HEPATIC MALIGNANCIES

Abstract

HCC is the most common primary malignant tumour of the liver. HCC accounts for 90% of primary liver cancers and causes at least I million deaths worldwide per year. It is the 5'h most common cancer in the world and the 4th in annular mortality rate. The annular mortality rate from the HCC is virtually the same as its annular incidence, which attests to its rapid course, and grave prognosis. The incidence of HCC is quite variable worldwide, and is related to a variable distribution of the risk factors. High incidences are found in Eastern and southeastern Asia, some of the western Pacific islands, and most of sub-Saharan Africa. Low incidences are found in England, North and South America, Scandinavia, India, Australia, Northern Africa, and Middle Asia. Recently, a trend of increased rates ofHCC has been reported from several developed countries in North America, Europe, and Asia. This increase is attributed to the exposure to hepatitis C virus. HCC is substantially a complication of liver cirrhosis. In large case series, more than 80% of patients developing HCC are cirrhotic. HBV and HCV are the predominant causes of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis worldwide, and have a propensity to lead to HCC. HCC is,an extremely virulent form of cancer. Its onset is insidious and most patients are asymptomatic until the tumour has advanced to an extremely large size and has spread to other parts of the liver or other organ system. Because of the late presentation, the prognosis of patients with that tumour is grim. The median survival rate from the onset of symptoms is only 3 to 6 months.