Contrast-enhanced ultrasound guidance improves the therapeutic efficacy of radiofrequency ablation in liver cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of liver cancer and its effect on patients' immune function.

METHODS

Clinical data of 84 liver cancer patients admitted to the Shandong Qishan Hospital from March 2018 to March 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to differences in treatment methods, patients were divided into a research group (42 cases treated by CEUS-guided RFA) and a control group (42 cases treated by RFA under conventional ultrasound). Clinical efficacy of two groups was observed two months after surgery. Liver function as well as IgA, IgG and IgM levels were evaluated. The incidence of complications, quality of life and survival were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The complete inactivation rate of large lesions in the research group was 23.81%, which was significantly higher than that of the control group (4.76%). Before treatment, the two groups showed similar levels of IgA, IgG and IgM. After treatment, significantly increased levels were observed in both groups, but the research group had higher IgA, IgG and IgM levels as compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The quality of life scores increased in both groups after the intervention, and the score in the research group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The progression-free survival of patients in the research group (12.28±5.42) was longer than that of patients in the control group (8.50±4.47; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Comparing to RFA guided by conventional ultrasound, RFA guided by CEUS can reduce liver damage, lower the incidence of complications, enhance the body's immune system, and improve local control rate and progression-free survival time in patients with liver cancer.