Decrease in size of non-treated lesions after cryoablation for hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatogastroenterology. 2012 Jan-Feb;59(113):252-4. doi: 10.5754/hge11182.

Abstract

We present the case of one 58-year-old man with advancd hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatitis-B virus-related liver cirrhosis who received hepatic cryoablation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed multiple liver tumors and the diameter of the largest tumor was more than 10cm. The patient received 2 percutaneous cryoablations in December 2009 and January 2010. Ten months later, MRI showed that not only the treated areas underwent necrosis but also the non-treated area decreased. The a-fetoprotein (AFP) level and the frequency of circulated regulatory T cell (Treg) before treatment were 13,800ng/mL and 15.6%, respectively. Following the cryoablations they dropped to 436ng/mL and 7.6%, respectively, 10 months later. The patient remains in good condition until now.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / blood
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / immunology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / surgery*
  • Cryosurgery*
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / blood
  • Liver Neoplasms / immunology
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Necrosis
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • alpha-Fetoproteins / metabolism

Substances

  • AFP protein, human
  • alpha-Fetoproteins