Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on cirrhosis: Are patients with portal invasion eligible for percutaneous ablation?

Objectives: Untreated HCC with portal vein tumor thrombus has poor prognosis. The aim of our study is to report preliminary results of RF ablation of liver tumor and portal neoplastic thrombus in cirrhotic patients. Methods: Ten cirrhotic patients with HCC (37–49mm) and neoplastic thrombus of portal vein, underwent RF ablation. Diagnosis of neoplastic thrombus was achieved by fine-needle biopsy. RF ablation was performed firstly on the thrombus and then on the tumor. Complete efficacy was defined by complete necrosis of HCC evaluated using enhanced-CT and complete recanalization of portal vein analyzed using col…