Effect of Radiofrequency Irradiation on Hepatocarcinoma

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and dangerous diseases that attacks the human liver, it is considered the fifth cause of death worldwide, in Egypt a high incidence of HCC had been reported, there is a strong association between HCV infection& cirrhosis and HCC. The aim of this study is to study the texture, density and the progress of the hepatocellular carcinoma before and after the treatment, using the modern screening modalities such as computed tomography, ultrasound and laboratory investigations such as tumor marker examinations alpha-fetoprotein, alanine transferees (AFP, ALT) and the temperature induced by the RFA inside the tumor tissue. The basic principle of radiofrequency ablation depends on the effect of temperature induced by the radiofrequency machine which had proved its ability to cause complete ablation of the HCC. So we had used specific mathematical equations to calculate the degree of temperature induced by the radiofrequency wave during the treatment using the available parameter current, watt, impedance of the tumor cells that can be easily monitored during the treatment. This study proved that radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma had a very high effect in destroying the tumor cells and this was monitored by computed tomography, by tumor markers and mathematical calculations. The temperature rise induced by RF during the treatment reaches 100 oC and more and ablation occurs at 4-10 min. At low power temperature at tumor surface varied from 60-225 oC and at high power temperature varied from 140-179 oC. At low power temperature at electrode surface varied from 88-223 oC and at high power temperature varied from 143-278 oC. The total complete necrosis rate after the first session was (87.5 %). The total complete necrosis rate after multiple sessions was 95.8 %. The total complete necrosis rate after multiple sessions was 95.8 %. Mean ALT activity measured before treatment were average of males group (50.16+ 12.8 S. D IU/L), and average of females group (58.37+12 S. D IU/L), mean AST measured before treatment were average of males group (46.9+19.1S. D IU/L), and average of females group (52.8+13.8S. D IU/L). Mean HCV-RNA measured before treatment were average of males group (78.3 + 11.3 S. D copies /ml), and average of females group (84.5 + 6.35 S. D copies /ml). The normal ranges for HCV-RNA in males and females are (greater than2 x106 copies /ml). Pretreatment CT with contrast shows enhanced tumors. After RF ablation HCC have been replaced by a larger non enhanced necrotic area.